RESULTS: Women's Richmond Open, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Chinappa Charges To Breakthrough Richmond Triumph
Indian
squash star Joshana Chinappa sensationally ended a career-long
losing run to Australia's former world champion Rachael Grinham
when she upset the top seed in straight games in the final of the
Women's Richmond Open to win the inaugural Women's Squash
Association World Tour event in the USA.
Chinappa, the 27-year-old world No21 from Chennai, was marking her 16th
Tour final in the WSA Tour 10 event at The Country Club of
Virginia in Richmond - whilst 37-year-old Grinham, a former
world number one from Queensland, was celebrating a mighty 65th final
appearance since making her first Tour final back in March 1998.
"Starting the first game, Grinham came out swinging, firing her way to a
6-2 lead - however Chinappa surged back through consistent play to level
the game off at 6-6," explained event spokesman Kristen Lange.
"From
here it was a battle to 11, with the lead oscillating between the two
players until a couple unfortunate mistakes gave Chinappa the first game
11-9.
"Continuing to ride the momentum Chinappa, in a matter of minutes
created a 6-1 lead over Grinham. She continued the fast pace that gave
her this lead and even though Grinham scored a few more points she was
not able to counter the pace and accuracy of Chinappa as she won the
second game 11-5.
"The
start of the third game was once again all Chinappa as she quickly
sailed to an 8-2 lead. Never one to be counted out Grinham fought her
way back to 8-8, however it was a case of too little too late as Grinham
made three critical errors to give Joshana her first win over the
courageous Australian in a stunning 3/0 shocker of a match."
The
title triumph - Chinappa's first win over Grinham in six meetings since
September 2010 - marks the ninth WSA Tour title of the Indian champion's
career, and her second this year.
