[1] Vanessa Atkinson (Ned) bt [2] Annelize Naudé (Ned)
                    9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 (30m)
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt [4] James Willstrop (Eng)
                    11-9, 11-6, 6-2 rtd (39m)

Vanessa Atkinson and Annelize Naudé, long time Dutch teammates and close friends, were the finalists in the Zack Swedish Open, Atkinson having beaten Nicolette Fernandes and Naudé, Dipika Pallikal, to get there.

Atkinson may have different priorities since the heady days of 2004 when she was world champion and world number one, but a recent semi-final in Greenwich, New Yotrk, and a win in Edinburgh indicated that she is still in good shape and competitive.

She has looked happy on court and Naudé, too, looked at ease, playing someone she knows so well.

Remarkably, and it can't happen too often, Naudé served out on the first rally of the match - I've never seen that before.

Atkinson looked in marginal but definite control of the first and led 9/7, at which point Naudé took four rallies in a row to win the game 11/9.

Naudé was taking the balls in short deftly, but Atkinson's heavier weight of shot gave her an edge and she levelled at 11/8.

From then on Atkinson pulled clear from the middle of the third and fourth and, though it was never easy, she did not look like losing. She won on her first match ball, 11/6.

Much though both girls have enjoyed their stay, they were non-commital about returning - they both may have other plans, so no reflection on the event. It would be good, though, if the status of the women's championship was raised.


A packed Linkoping crowd were full of anticipation when Nick Matthew and James Willstrop, the two inform players on the world tour, took to the court, and the early signs were that they were not going to be disappointed.

An immense rally, which Matthew finally won, saw Willstrop rotating his shoulder in some discomfort. Matthew raced to 8/3, at which point Willstrop took a three-minute injury break.

On resumption at 9/3 down Willstrop, looking more comfortable, put together a series of backhand winners to level the score at 9-all. Matthew eventually won the game 11/9.

In the second, even though Willstrop got to 4-all he was not at ease, and subsided quickly to 11/6. Now his right thigh, as well as his right shoulder, was causing problems. Strapped up, the attempted to carry on, but it soon became clear that he had no alternative but to stop, and at 6/2 he shook Matthew's hand.

It was Karim Darwish who was unable to play the final last year, and so for two years Matthew has won by default, not that he will have taken any pleasure from that.

It was greatly disappointing, not only for Willstrop himself, but for Freddie Johnson and his splendid team and for the equally splendid Linkoping crowd, who bore their disappointment with Scandinavian stoicism and sympathy.

Nick Matthew expressed his disappointment at winning in such a way; James Willstrop felt at least as sorry for everybody else as he did for himself, and it was an unfortunate ending to a championship as well run as a championship can be.
  

Stefan Edberg

It is always pleasant to see Stefan Edberg, tennis great, at the Swedish open. I was always a fan of his and remember with gratitude winning money when he was successful at Wimbledon. His calm, unfussy disposition appeals to me and he was living proof that inner steel is the answer.

He looks just as he did in his heyday and he is no mean squash player. Appropriately, it was Amr Shabana, who was chosen to play him at the popular pro-am prior to the quarter finals and the World Champion was soon off the court complaining in jocular manner about the strength of the opposition! Justified, too, since Stefan plays very well.

But what strikes you even more than his appearance and his squash playing ability is his extreme modesty and approachability. I don’t think I have ever met such a great sportsman so understated.

In these days when sportsmanship is a rare commodity, when overblown celebrity status dominates the media, how reassuring to be in the presence of Stefan Edberg.

Women's Matches

The Women’s Swedish Open began at Linkoping Sport Centre today and before that Amr Shabana, James Willstrop, Gregory Gaultier and Nick Matthew took on a variety of amateurs. James set things in motion against sponsor Bo Petterson and Amr had the privilege of playing tennis great Stefan Edberg, who looks the same as he did when he won Wimbledon and who plays a good game of squash. Amr was soon up against it and was quick to tell the large and appreciative crowd that he had been set up.

Vanessa Atkinson, fresh from her win in Edinburgh, is the top seed and she quickly beat Finland’s Saara Valfola. Dipika Palikal and Nicolette Fernandes both won comfortably, 3-0, but France’s Laura Pomportes beat sixth seeded Swede Anna-Carin Forstadius convincingly 3-0.

The talented Czech Lucie Fialova beat Sweden’s Joseffa Bertilsson 3-1, after losing concentration to drop the second game 11/9, but winning the third and fourth 11/2, 11/3.

Most interesting match of the first round was second seeded Annelize Naudé against the very promising England junior Emily Whitlock, making her WISPA debut. The youngster started very well and won the first game 11/6. She actually looks the part and no doubt has a big future. She remained competitive throughout and only Naudé’s experience saw her through 11/8, 11/5, 11/8. The England coaches speak highly of Whitlock and they are right. She has massive potential. Naudé will be relieved to have progressed.

Vanessa Atkinson v Laura Pomportes

Vanessa Atkinson, top seeded, World No 1 in 2004, may be in the twilight of her illustrious career, but looking fit and well motivated, she moved impressively into the semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Laura Pomportes, the French girl who had beaten sixth seeded Swedish girl Anna Forstadius in the first round.

Pomportes is mobile and competent and has the scope to improve, but Atkinson’s skill and know-how were too much for her in the first two games. Pomportes led 5/2 in the third, but Atkinson was soon on level terms at six all.

Then as players with Atkinson’s background do, she asserted to win the game and match 11/9, though not without resistance from the French girl.

Atkinson will be pleased to have had a run on the glass court after the warmer, bouncier conditions of the Linkoping Squash Centre.

 

Round ONE