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April 20th ... Will WISPA's next big star please step up?
The current top 5 women in world squash present a famous, yet familiar set of names. Triple world champion Nicol David (#1) leads the way. A rejuvenated Natalie Grainger (#2) has brought herself back to the top. The Grinham sisters (#3 & #4), seemingly relentless - and though recently dislodged by Grainger - are set to fight back in Texas (You wouldn't expect anything less from the Aussies, would you?). Jenny Duncalf (#5) rounds out the top 5, having ended a brilliant 2008 with a semi-final appearance at the world open. There is a big chance that 4 of these names will be present come semi-final time in Texas, but this is sport and we all know that just like a conveniently framed backhand volley into the nick, anything can and will happen.
And so we ask, just which new star will shine brightest in Texas? When we look back in a few years, just which player will have caused an upset and kick started their career in Plano, Texas on May 12.
Here is a look at my picks ...
The UK's Alison Waters has already been ranked #5 in the world for a fleeting moment in late 2008. Waters has had a taste in 2008, continuously mixing it up with the top girls. The 25 year old Londoner and current world #6 is my pick to take her amazing consistency to the next level and make a run deep into the Texas Open.
In the men's game, nothing more needs to be mentioned about Egypt, they have produced the current mens world number 1 (Karim Darwish) and arguably the most amazing shotmaker since Jonathan Power in Ramy Ashour. But woman's squash in Egypt is not doing too badly either. In Texas, former world junior champion and world #8 Omneya Abdel Kawy is sure to make her presence felt. Omneya has already been to Texas on five previous occassions, her experience in the lone star state and a recent tournament win in the 2009 Hurghada International against Rachel Grinham is sure to have her riding a wave confidence. Don't forget to also look out for world #213, Egyptian Merhan Amr Mahmoud during qualifying as she mixes it with the big girls. A new WISPA career begins.
And what would my review be without covering an Aussie? Kasey Brown, currently ranked #13 has maintained her ranking on the fringes of the top 10 for a while now. Currently residing in New York, the girl from Taree, NSW will travel south hoping to make an impression in Texas. In addition to the Grinham sisters, the Aussie assault will be rounded out by world number #34, Lisa Camilleri, also in career form since mid 2008.
April 13th ... David still number 1, but will Grainger challenge in Texas?
In March, after almost 18 months and a staggeging 56 matches, Nicol David's amazing undefeated run on the WISPA tour came to a grinding halt in, of all places, her backyard - in the recent KL Open. David's brilliant run was ended by none other than new world #2, Natalie Grainger. It took Grainger 5 grinding games to knock off David in her home country. Grainger, seemingly buoyed by her victory in Malaysia, backed up again in Montreal in early April to grab another tournament when she overcame world #7 Laura Lengthorn-Massaro in 3 games to lift the Atwater Cup. Grainger is on a roll.
Grainger and Nicol will both be in Plano for the Texas Open in early May. In addition to many of the worlds top female players, the Grinham sisters will be there too, and no doubt wanting to make a statement. For the first time in a while, neither Natalie nor Rachel Grinham are pushing David for the top ranking as Grainger has overtaken both of them for the #2 ranking. Are we seeing a sea change at the top?
As for David, is she finally vulnerable? The always smiling triple world champion, and one of the tour's most popular players returns to Texas for the first time since 2005 as world number 1. Following her last visit to the lone star state in 2005, David left Dallas and proceeded to reel of the the British Open in October 2005 and followed it up with her stunning world open win over Rachel Grinham in December. It was the start of something special. The question is does Grainger's recent shock win in KL change this? Will it refocus David and will the champ come out fighting to prove she is still number 1?
With a month a to go, tension is building as the Texas Open draws nearer. The enthusuastic Dallas squash community is buzzing with anticipation as most of the world's top 10 players and a host of young up and coming WISPA players make their way to Plano for what should be a stunning week of squash. We can't wait!
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