The Hindu : Sport : It is an Australian sweep

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 18, 2004

Sport

Sport

It is an Australian sweep

By S.R. Suryanarayan

WINNERS ALL: (From left) Cameron White, Byron Davis, Natalie Grinham, Rachael Grinham and David Palmer with Ms. Joyce Buckley (Vice-President, WSF) and N. Ramachandran (Secretary General, SRFI) — Photo: Vino John

CHENNAI, DEC. 17. Mission accomplished. For Australia that was what mattered finally. Winning all the three titles — men, women's and mixed — the Australians left Chennai on a happy note at the end of the second World doubles squash championship on Friday.

For Rachael Grinham, the world number one player from Australia, Chennai will remain a special destination. It was here that she won a WISPA title a few years ago and on Friday she collected a double, winning the doubles with sister Natalie and the mixed with David Palmer.

India would also have been satisfied having reached the men's final for the first time and making history in the process. The title round saw Ritwik Bhattacharya and Saurav Ghosal putting up a game fight for 100 minutes against Byron Davis and Cameron White. But the dream run could not be extended as they lost 9-4, 9-3, 8-9, 9-7. There was no disgrace in the loss as the Indians gave the goodly crowd enough to cheer.

Superior Aussies

Consistency in stroke-making, variations in the length of returns and above all total focus were the prime needs. Both teams struggled here but where the Australians excelled was in their superior game plan. If Byron, considered by the team's head coach Geoff Hunt as a `special coach' himself, was deceptive and facile in his forecourt play, then Cameron's elasticity was amazing. Twice he went diving full length, once backwards, to return and what is more win points much to the awe of the gathering.

Ritwik and Saurav started tentatively, with both taking turns to hit the tin. Even if an occasional drop caught Byron short the Australian duo managed to keep up and won two games in quick time. Ritwik and Saurav are fighters and that quality came to the fore in the third. With near unending rallies and quick reflex returns the movement of scores was checked for some time. India led 7-4 before two faux pas by Saurav saw the Australian's catching up. Soon a fall by Byron in negotiating a return gave game ball to the Indians at 8-6. The Australians then made it 8-8 all before a Saurav shot found the nick and a lunging White failed to pick the ball up. India won the game, its only gain.

An early lead kept Australia in good stead in the fourth and even though Ritwik and Saurav put everything in defeat stared at them at 5-8. On match ball now for Australia, Saurav played two lovely points, one off a trickle boast to bring the scores closer. But it was only thus far and no further.

Low key

The other finals were comparatively low key. After his unbecoming demeanour on Friday, when he gave vent to his anger against the refereeing in the men's semifinal, David Palmer was cool and collected in Rachael's company in the mixed doubles to win easily. Meanwhile it is learnt that Palmer had apologised to the organisers as also the WSF representatives for his poor conduct. Whether WSF will view the incident seriously and penalise him has to be seen.

The Grinham sisters then came on to ensure the women's doubles. Ms. Joyce Buckley, vice-president, WSF was the chief guest and gave away the medals and trophies.

The results: Men: final: Byron Davis and Cameron White (Aus) bt Ritwik Bhattacharya and Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 9-4, 9-3, 8-9, 9-7. Third place: David Palmer and Anthony Ricketts (Aus) bt Jamie Crombie and Preston Quick (US) 11-9, 7-9, 9-4, 9-5.

Women: final: Rachael Grinham and Natalie Grinham (Aus) bt Louise Crome and Lara Petera (NZ) 9-7, 9-4, 9-2. Third place: Shelley Kitchen and Tamsyn Leevey (NZ) bt Tricia Chuah and Nicol David (Mal) 9-7, 9-5, 9-6.

Mixed: final: Rachael Grinham and David Palmer (Aus) bt Shelley Kitchen and Glen Wilson (NZ)11-8, 9-8, 9-8. Third place: Natalie Grinham and Dan Jenson (Aus) bt Dianne Desira and Cameron White (Aus) 9-3, 9-3, 9-2.

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