WSF World
Doubles Championships, Chennai |
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It is an Australian sweep By S.R. Suryanarayan : The Hindu ( Chennai)
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. All Results:
Finals : Mens Finals : 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: Third place: Shelley Kitchen and Tamsyn Leevey (NZ) bt Tricia Chuah and Nicol David (Mal) 9-7, 9-5, 9-6. Mixed: Third place: Natalie Grinham and Third Place : Dan Jenson (Aus) bt Dianne Desira and Cameron White (Aus) 9-3, 9-3, 9-2.
Semifinal: Men: Ritwik Bhattacharya and Saurav Ghosal (Ind) bt Jamie Crombie and Preston Quick (US) 9-5, 10-11, 11-9, 9-4. Women: Natalie Grinham and Rachael
Grinham (Ausd) bt Tricia Chuah and Nicol David (Mal) 9-4, 9-5, 9-5; Mixed: Rachael Grinham and David
Palmer (Aus) bt Dianne Desira and Cameron White (Aus) 9-5, 9-3, 9-8; |
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