Archive for May, 2002

After beating the Australian Rachael Grinham 9-3, 9-5, 1-9, 9-3 in the first round Tania looked in good form.

However, the Quarter-Final proved a bit trickier. Having lost to Tania in there last two meetings Linda was determined to get her revenge. Tania took the first game but Linda came back out fighting and won the next three games. Final score 5-9, 9-5, 9-1, 9-1.

Richard Barker (pictured right, though this picture was taken before the crushing defeat – he hasn’t been seen smiling since!) is not the first person at Stamford Squash Club to be beaten convincingly by Michael and will, no doubt, not be the last. Michael didn’t let Rich get a point – yes, to you and me that’s 27-0! Annihilated indeed. A term described in the dictionary rather well:

a)To destroy completely
b)To reduce to nonexistence
c)To defeat decisively.

The question is, who will be next?

Sarah pulled through in a four game final against Tania who fought well. Tania pushed the World No.1 losing 9-1,7-9,9-1,9- 2 after 46 minutes.

Sarah used her power and length to pick up where they had left off in the British Open, to dominate the first game. Tania came back after the break determined and fired up. She rallied and played some excellent cross courts from the front which caught the World No.1 out of position a number of times.

Sarah stood 8-3 down in the second, but rallied back to catch up to 7-8 before making an error that gave Tania the game second game. At one-all Sarah increased her effort and returned to court and immediately regained control and dominance for the rest of the match, providing a convincing win.

Tania has now set up another match with the World No.1 against Sarah Fitzgerald after beating Steph in 4 games – 9/1 9/4 6/9 9/3.

She last played Sarah in the final of the British Open last month(click here to see the info on that match).

Having dropped just one point in her last match, Tania was playing Senga Macfie for a place in the semi finals. She won 3-0, with a close game in the second. 9-4, 10-9, 9-2. She will now meet Stephanie Brind in the semi final tomorrow.

Tania lost to Natalie Pohrer (World No.5) ) 9-3, 9-2, 9-0. “I played a lot in the front part of the court,” Pohrer said. “I was a little on edge because Tania has been playing so well and that feeling really never left me the whole match, though I calmed down a bit.”

Bailey tried to slow down Pohrer but Pohrer’s control of the match prevented that. “I like to power it more than she does,” said Pohrer. “She plays it more traditionally, keeping it up and down for a longer game. My goal is to up the pace and change direction of the ball a lot.”