© 2005 Q Squash Ltd

RESULTS

21-03-2006

Commonwealth Games Report
Commonwealth Games Squash, Melbourne, Australia

DAY 5 COMMENTARY

Natalie Grinham is riding the roller coaster of life with March 2006 providing more highes than lows.

Winning an individual GOLD MEDAL at the Commonwealth Games is for many people the ultimate but the lustre of winning soon disappears when it is at the expense of your sister!

Their warm embrace after the match suggests the two are very close and they both know what the other is feeling.

All they need to do now is COMBINE and that they will do perfectly over the next few days. The 2004 World Doubles Champions are the "Hottest of Hot favourites" to win the Doubles GOLD.

Lets hope that after the Doubles Competition the Grinham Treasure Chest will overflow with more GOLD.

Rachael will also partner David Palmer to see if they too can immulate their success at the 2004 World Doubles Championships when the won the Mixed.

Howard Harding Report: "Queenslander Natalie Grinham, the third seed, reached the final after a stunning upset over Malaysian favourite Nicol David, the world No1, in the semi-finals. Clearly buoyed by her eve-of-event wedding to Dutch international Tommy Berden, and her 28th birthday on the opening day of competition, Natalie maintained her excellent form to defeat her second-seeded sister Rachael 2-9, 9-6, 9-1, 9-6 in 49 minutes.

Despite both having played on the WISPA World Tour for more than ten years, the pair have only faced each other ten times since their first meeting in 2001 in the KL Open in Malaysia – their only other meeting in a final. This was also Natalie's first win over 29-year-old Rachael for two years.

"I was pretty high on winning yesterday – actually I got the feeling I'd won the gold medal when I beat the world number one," said Natalie later to www.cgsquash.com. "It's a shock for us this week as our Mum was there during the whole event – and normally when she comes, we have an awful tournament.

"Who does she support? Me, of course, I'm the youngest - she feels sorry for me!"

Rachael, who maintained a 17-month hold on the world number one ranking until last December, admitted that Natalie is playing well at the moment, and that she found it difficult motivating herself to beat her younger sister in the final – "I guess it felt like we already won, just in reaching the final."

"I didn't have my sister in my corner to coach me – that's what went wrong today!" joked Grinham senior."

DAY 4 COMMENTARY

DREAM RESULT

The Grinham Sisters were smiling from "ear to ear" after creating history yesterday.

The "Toowoomba Twosome" Natalie and Rachael Grinham will meet to decide the Gold Medal.

Natalie is on an absolute HIGH at the moment: wedding, birthday and beating the World Champion!
Let's hope the gruelling 85 minute match against Nicol David doesn't take too much out of her.

Sister Rachael had an easier match disposing of Kiwi Shelley Kitchen in three.

From all your Queensland Fans we wish you both the very best ... we are all so very proud of your wonderful achievements.

Howard Harding Report: "The younger Grinham sister caused the biggest semi-finals day shock when she ousted David, the 22-year-old from Penang who arrived in Melbourne as World Champion, Asian champion and world number one – and was widely tipped to win her first Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Despite regularly training together in Amsterdam, the younger Grinham sister had not beaten David since 2004. But clearly inspired by her eve-of-Games wedding to Dutch squash international Tommy Berden, and her 28th birthday on the opening day of the event, Natalie twice came from behind to defeat the top-seeded Malaysian 9-10, 9-7, 4-9, 9-6, 9-3 in 85 minutes.

"I did my best and tried to take control of the match but she just took advantage of everything," said Nicol David later.

Natalie Grinham agreed that the conditions suited her well: "The crowd really helped me," said the world No4 from Toowoomba.

In the other women's semi-final, Rachael Grinham stopped New Zealand giant-killer Shelley Kitchen 10-8, 9-4, 9-2 in 41 minutes. The No9 seed from Auckland had reached the semis after two successive upsets over higher-seeded English opponents, but 29-year-old Grinham senior was just too strong, leaving the Kiwi to fight for a bronze medal against Nicol David.

"Tomorrow, Natalie and I won't care who'll win, we'll be happy for the other one if we lose – we're just going to have a great day, it's everything we could hope for and we couldn't wish for a better result," second seed Rachael, a bronze medallist in 2002, told www.cgsquash.com.

The pair's meeting will ensure that the women's title will remain in Australian hands for the third successive Games after wins by Michelle Martin in 1998 and Sarah Fitz-Gerald in 2002.

DAY 3 COMMENTARY

Natalie & Rachael Grinham are into the final 4. So 1 medal is assured at this stage. Let's hope Natalie can cause the BIGGEST upset of the event by beating World Number 1 Nicol David.

Natalie went close at their last encounter in 2006 where David won a tough 63 minute encounter 10-9 in the fifth after being down 0-2. The final score was: 4-9, 3-9, 9-2, 9-2, 10-9.

Rachael will face a much improved Kiwi in Shelley Kitchen but based on past form Rachael should be too strong.

The WISPA website indicates these two have not met since January 2004. Rachael won that encounter 9-4, 9-1, 9-5.

Howard Harding Report: "In the semi-finals, Kitchen will face Australia's second seed Rachael Grinham, who made the last four for the second time when she ended England's medal hopes with a 1-9, 9-5, 9-5, 9-3 win in 43 minutes over sixth seed Linda Elriani.

Earlier, Malaysian favourite Nicol David took 44 minutes to overcome England's eighth seed Tania Bailey 9-6, 10-9, 9-3 to set up a semi-final clash with third seed Natalie Grinham. Rachael's younger sister, from Toowoomba in Queensland, beat Ireland's No7 seed Madeline Perry 9-1, 9-7, 4-9, 9-3 in 57 minutes."

DAY 2 COMMENTARY

Unfortunately Joseph Kneipp is out but the Grinham sisters power on.

Howard Harding Report: "In the women's event, the top two seeds Nicol David and Rachael Grinham made their debuts after first round byes. Favourite David, the world No1 from Malaysia, cruised to a 9-0, 9-0, 9-3 win in just 21 minutes over Canada's Runa Reta, while Grinham, the second-seeded Queenslander who leads local hopes in the women's event, beat fellow Aussie Kasey Brown 9-3, 9-1, 9-2."

DAY 1 COMMENTARY

Queenslanders Joseph Kneipp and Natalie Grinham are through to the final 16. They join Rachael Grinham who had a bye.

There were a number of easy 3-0 matches on Day 1 with two going for 10 minutes each. The next rounds should become a little more interesting.

Howard Harding Report: "In the women's event Australia’s Natalie Grinham celebrated her 28th birthday in fine style with a strong win over the Cayman Island’s Chantelle Day 9-0, 9-0, 9-1. In the next round, the third seed who married Dutch player Tommy Berden on the eve of the event, will meet Malaysia’s Tricia Chuah who enjoyed a straight games victory over Vanessa Florens from Mauritius 9-3, 9-0, 9-5."

FULL RESULTS:

Women's final:

[3] Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt [2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 2-9, 9-6, 9-1, 9-6 (49m)

Bronze medal play-off:

[9] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt [1] Nicol David (MAS) 5-9, 9-6, 9-5, 9-2 (53m)

Women's semi-finals:

[3] Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt [1] Nicol David (MAS) 9-10, 9-7, 4-9, 9-6, 9-3 (85m)
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [9] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) 10-8, 9-4, 9-2 (41m)

Women's quarter-finals:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [8] Tania Bailey (ENG) 9-6, 10-9, 9-3 (44m)
[3] Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt [7] Madeline Perry (NIR) 9-1, 9-7, 4-9, 9-3 (57m)
[9] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt [4] Vicky Botwright (ENG) 10-8, 9-5, 9-1 (42m)
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [6] Linda Elriani (ENG) 1-9, 9-5, 9-5, 9-3 (43m)

Women's 2nd round:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [13] Runa Reta (CAN) 9-0, 9-0, 9-3 (21m)
[8] Tania Bailey (ENG) bt [12] Amelia Pittock (AUS) 9-2, 9-2, 9-1 (20m)
[3] Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt [16] Tricia Chuah (MAS) 7-9, 9-5, 9-3, 9-0 (39m)
[7] Madeline Perry (NIR) bt [10] Sharon Wee (MAS) 6-9, 9-3, 9-5, 6-9, 9-5 (69m)
[9] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt [5] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 9-6, 4-9, 9-6, 9-1 (54m)
[4] Vicky Botwright (ENG) bt Tenille Swartz (RSA) 9-4, 9-7, 9-7 (43m)
[6] Linda Elriani (ENG) bt [11] Tegwen Malik (WAL) 9-6, 10-8, 9-3 (37m)
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [15] Kasey Brown (AUS) 9-3, 9-1, 9-2 (33m)

Women's 1st round:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bye
[13] Runa Reta (CAN) bt Eli Webb (PNG) 9-1, 9-1, 9-2 (16m)
[8] Tania Bailey (ENG) bt Diana Argyle (RSA) 9-3, 9-1, 9-0 (16m)
[12] Amelia Pittock (AUS) bt Marlene West (JAM) 9-1, 9-0, 9-1 (19m)
[3] Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt Chantelle Day (CAY) 9-0, 9-0, 9-1 (12m)
[16] Tricia Chuah (MAS) bt Vanessa Florens (MRI) 9-3, 9-0, 9-5 (17m)
[7] Madeline Perry (NIR) bt Tehani Guruge (SRI) 9-1, 9-0, 9-0 (10m)
[10] Sharon Wee (MAS) bt Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 4-9, 9-6, 7-9, 9-6, 9-2 (54m)
[9] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt Naluge Guy (PNG) 9-2, 9-1, 9-0 (13m)
[5] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt Louise Philip (SCO) 9-2, 9-3, 9-0 (18m)
Tenille Swartz (RSA) bt [14] Tamsyn Leevey (NZL) 9-5, 9-6, 9-4 (22m)
[4] Vicky Botwright (ENG) bt Sharon Chimfwembe (ZAM) 9-0, 9-1, 9-3 (11m)
[11] Tegwen Malik (WAL) bt Nirasha Guruge (SRI) 9-3, 9-0, 9-0 (16m)
[6] Linda Elriani (ENG) bt Karen Anderson (JAM) 9-4, 9-1, 9-2 (15m)
[15] Kasey Brown (AUS) bt Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO) 9-3, 9-0, 9-4 (22m)
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bye

Men's final:

[4] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [1] David Palmer (AUS) 9-5, 10-8, 4-9, 9-2 (109m)

Bronze medal play-off:
[5] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [7] Nick Matthew (ENG)9-3, 9-7, 9-3 (47m)

Men's semi-finals:

[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt [5] Lee Beachill (ENG) 9-0, 9-4, 9-4 (59m)
[4] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [7] Nick Matthew (ENG) 3-9, 9-5, 9-4, 9-5 (85m)

Men's quarter-finals:

[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt [6] John White (SCO) 2-9, 10-8, 9-6, 9-0 (79m)
[5] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [10] Stewart Boswell (AUS) 9-4, 9-3, 9-3 (73m)
[4] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [12] Graham Ryding (CAN) 9-5, 9-1, 9-3 (48m)
[7] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [2] James Willstrop (ENG) 9-3, 3-9, 8-10, 10-8, 9-5 (82m)

Men's 3rd round:

[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt [14] Shahier Razik (CAN) 9-2, 9-4, 9-6 (62m)
[6] John White (SCO) bt [16] Joseph Kneipp (AUS) 9-6, 9-0, 9-2 (24m)
[10] Stewart Boswell (AUS) bt [3] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) 10-8, 9-2, 9-7 (65m)
[5] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [13] Alex Gough (WAL) 9-1, 9-0, 9-1 (39m)
[12] Graham Ryding (CAN) bt [8] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) 9-10, 9-1, 9-0, 9-5 (54m)
[4] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt Matthew Giuffre (CAN) 9-2, 9-2, 9-0 (26m)
[7] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [9] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) 9-4, 9-2, 9-7 (62m)
[2] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Gavin Jones (WAL) 9-0, 9-7, 9-1 (34m)

2nd round:
[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt David Evans (WAL) 9-2, 9-4, 9-6 (31m)
[14] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt Chris Simpson (GUE) 9-3, 2-9, 9-3, 9-6 (50m)
[6] John White (SCO) bt Nicholas Kyme (BER) 9-7, 9-1, 9-1 (21m)
[16] Joseph Kneipp (AUS) bt Joseph Desira (MLT) 9-4, 9-1, 9-1 (18m)
[3] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt Colin Ramasra (TRI) 9-0, 9-0, 9-1 (18m)
[10] Stewart Boswell (AUS) bt Steve Richardson (NIR) 9-4, 9-0, 9-4 (39m)
[5] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt Craig van der Wath (RSA) 9-1, 9-2, 9-1 (28m)
[13] Alex Gough (WAL) bt James Stout (BER) 9-4, 9-1, 1-7 ret. (17m)
[12] Graham Ryding (CAN) bt Clinton Leeuw (RSA) 9-1, 9-6, 9-0 (37m)
[13] Alex Gough (WAL) bt Christopher Binnie (JAM) 9-0, 9-1, 9-1 (18m)
Matthew Giuffre (CAN) bt [11] Shahid Zaman (PAK) 9-4, 10-8, 10-9 (43m)
[4] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt Rodney Durbach (RSA) 9-5, 9-1, 9-1 (29m)
[9] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) bt Shawn Delierre (CAN) 9-3, 9-1, 9-2 (27m)
[7] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Chiluba Chilufya (ZAM) 9-2, 9-1, 9-2 (29m)
Gavin Jones (WAL) bt O'Neil Chilambwe (ZAM) 9-3, 9-3, 9-4 (35m)
[2] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Harry Leitch (SCO)w/o

Men's 1st round:

David Evans (WAL) bt Hardeep Reel (KEN) 9-7, 9-5, 9-2 (30m)
[14] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt Yasir Issadeen (SRI) 9-3, 9-0, 9-3 (18m)
Chris Simpson (GUE) bt Navin Samarasinghe (SRI) 9-0, 9-4, 9-0 (22m)
Nicholas Kyme (BER) bt Chikumbutso Mkutumula (MAW) 9-0, 9-2, 9-1 (21m)
[16] Joseph Kneipp (AUS) bt Joseph Chapman (BVI) 9-0, 9-0, 9-1 (17m)
Joseph Desira (MLT) bt Shawn Badrinath (GUY) 9-3, 9-4, 9-6 (32m)
Colin Ramasra (TRI) bt Maxim Weithers (GUY) 10-8, 9-4, 9-2 (29m)
Steve Richardson (NIR) bt Joshua Pinard (TRI) 9-2, 9-1, 9-1 (27m)
Craig van der Wath (RSA) bt Nadeem Hosenbux (MRI) 9-0, 9-2, 9-1 (14m)
[13] Alex Gough (WAL) bt Colin Alexander (SVG) 9-1, 9-0, 9-2 (20m)
James Stout (BER) bt Joseph Karigithe (KEN) 9-2, 9-0, 9-0 (17m)
Clinton Leeuw (RSA) bt Jeffery Broderick (CAY) 9-1, 9-1, 9-0 (17m)
[12] Graham Ryding (CAN) bt Karl Nassief (DMN) 9-3, 9-1, 9-0 (15m)
Christopher Binnie (JAM) bt Leonard Bedneau (DMN) 9-0, 9-2, 9-3 (17m)
Matthew Giuffre (CAN) bt Andrew McGoon (FIJ) 9-0, 9-0, 9-0 (10m)
Rodney Durbach (RSA) bt Chirag Shah (KEN) 9-0, 9-7, 9-2 (17m)
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt Sonalmeet Nagra (FIJ) 9-1, 9-0, 9-1 (18m)
Chiluba Chilufya (ZAM) bt Aubrey Taulo (MAW) 9-0, 9-0, 9-4 (17m)
O'Neil Chilambwe (ZAM) bt Hartaj Bains (KEN) 9-6, 9-2, 9-6 (30m)
Gavin Jones (WAL) bt [15] Mansoor Zaman (PAK) 9-7, 9-6, 5-9, 2-9, 9-6 (64m)
Harry Leitch (SCO) bt James Bentick (SVG) 9-5, 9-3, 9-5 (22m)

ENDS