Chinappa Besting Grinham In Richmond Ends Career-Long Losing Run by Howard Harding April 20, 2014
- 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."
RESULTS: Women's Richmond Open, Richmond, Virginia, USA
