Atkinson has stars in her eyes
The bright lights of Hong Kong beckon The Netherlands' Vanessa Atkinson tonight. And she has a huge treat in front of her, for not only is she appearing in her first semi-finals at the World Open but the setting will be the spectacular open air surroundings of the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
'I'm looking forward to playing on the court outside. And as this is the first time that I have reached the semi-finals at the World Open, it will be a great experience for me,' said Atkinson, who provided the second big upset at the tournament when she knocked out reigning British Open champion and third seed Rachael Grinham in the quarter-finals yesterday.
Atkinson scored a 9-1, 9-0, 3-9, 10-8 victory over Grinham and followed in the footsteps of another big name to fall by the wayside - Natalie Grainger, the second seed, who was ousted by Malaysia's Nicol David in the second round.
The absence of these two big names will favour world number one and top seed Carol Owens, who steamed into the semi-finals by knocking out the younger of the Grinham sisters, Natalie, 9-6, 9-3, 9-1. Owens, world champion in 2000, was happy that elder sister Rachael would not be her next opponent. 'It was a bit surprising to see that result before going on court,' said a smiling Owens afterwards. Owens will meet Atkinson in the semi-finals, an opponent who she feels is an easier obstacle than Rachael Grinham.
'I'm happy. I have advanced into the next stage. When I came here, I looked at the draw and saw that I would have to play the Grinham sisters before the final, and thought it would be tough and very challenging. Now Rachael is not there. I'm not saying beating Vanessa is going to be easy, but she does not play in the same style as Rachael,' said Owens.
Months of planning the Credit Suisse Privilege-sponsored tournament will bear fruit tonight when the semi-finals and the final (tomorrow night) will be staged outside. Hong Kong Squash's much-travelled four-sided glass court has been erected on a platform and there will be seating for 700 spectators. Those fans who don't have tickets can watch the action (with sound) which will be projected on to the wall of the Cultural Centre.
A larger than life Atkinson and Owens will go down in local history as two of four girls to be featured tonight. The other semi-final will feature England's Cassie Jackman and David. Jackman defeated compatriot Linda Charman 9-5, 5-9, 9-3, 9-1 to book her berth. David knocked out Fiona Geaves, who at 36 is the oldest woman playing in the tournament, 9-4, 9-1, 2-9, 9-2. It will be David's first time in the World Open semis, too.
So the semis will feature two former world champions against players who have never gone so far. 'I have got as good a chance as any to win. Obviously the loss of Natalie Grainger has opened up the bottom half. But at this stage, you can't take anyone for granted,' said Jackman, who has won the World Open previously, in 1999.
British Open champion Rachael Grinham had hoped she would be one of the last four, but she did not account for an inspired performance from Atkinson who used her long reach and volleying skills to take the initial advantage, see Grinham come back before closing out the match by staging her own comeback in the fourth game.
'She came out hard and fast at the start and I couldn't really do anything,' said Grinham, shattered that her hopes of adding a World Open title to the British Open in the same year was blown away.
Having won the third game, Rachael took a 6-3 then 8-5 lead in the fourth. But she couldn't convert a game ball. A tiring Atkinson suddenly found her second wind and drew level with her opponent on 8-8. Grinham asked for set two and both players fought it out.
The rallies continued to be long and there was six handouts (change of serves) before Atkinson finally moved to 9-8 and match ball with a superb forehand flick drop-shot that caught Grinham flatfooted. A penalty stroke saw Atkinson take victory. She screamed in disbelief at the decision, thinking that a let would be given.
