European Individual Championships
26-29 May 2010, Saarbrucken, Germany

Finals:

[1] Jenny Duncalf (Eng) bt [3/4] Vanessa Atkinson (Ned)
          11/8, 11/5, 9/11, 10/12, 11/5
[2] Thierry Lincou (Fra) bt [1] Gregory Gaultier (Fra)
           11/5, 11/2 rtd

3rd/4th:
Camille Serme (Fra) bt Tania Bailey (Eng)             11/6, 11/8, 11/9
Olli Tuominen (Fin) bt Mark Krajcsak (Hun)  10/12, 11/7, 11/4, 11/5

Duncalf wins back EICC crown,
Lincou retains men's title ...

The women's final was a matchup between two former winners of this title, but in the event it was England's Jenny Duncalf who secured a third title with a hard-fought win over Vanessa Atkinson.

The Englishwoman looked in control in the first two games, but Atkinson struck back to take the third, then came from 7-9 down in the fourth, levelling the match on her second game ball opportunity.

Duncalf took a quick 4-1 start in the decider, but although Atkinson managed to get as close as 5-3 Duncalf stretched away again, earning some measure of revenge for her defeat to the Dutchwoman in the European Teams, and becoming champion of Europe.

The men's final was a bit of a disappointment, with top seed Gregory Gaultier clearly struggling with the injury he picked up yesterday. Although a hospital visit confirmed it was just bruising on his ankle, after competing for a few points in the first game it quickly became clear that the five-time champion would not be able to mount a serious challenge.

Lincou closed out the first, took the second at a canter at which point Gaultier offered his hand.

Men's Draw

Women's Draw

Event History

Semi-Finals:

Jenny Duncalf 3-0 Tania Bailey                       11/2, 11/9, 12/10
Vanessa Atkinson 3-1 Camille Serme       6/11, 11/8, 11/4, 11/4

Gregory Gaultier 3-0 Mark Krajcsak                 11/5, 11/9, 11/7
Thierry Lincou 3-0 Olli Tuominen                    12/10, 11/9, 11/2

Atkinson Gatecrashes European Final

Dutch champion Vanessa Atkinson dashed Camille Serme's hopes of reaching the women's European Individual Squash Championship final for the first time when she upset the second seed in the semi-finals of the 10th staging of the European Squash Federation event at the Tennis & Squash Centre in Saarbrucken, Germany.

Former champion Atkinson, a 3/4 seed but a finalist in both her previous appearances in the championships, recovered from a game down to overcome the fast-rising French star 6-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4.

Atkinson, the world champion in 2004 and European champion the following year, lost to Serme in the qualifying rounds in last month's European Team Championships in France – but came back to beat the 21-year-old world No10 in the final to lead Netherlands to a first-time title triumph in the event.

The 34-year-old from The Hague, but now based in the UK, will face Jenny Duncalf, the top seed who is also celebrating her third successive appearance in the final.

Duncalf, the world No2 from Harrogate and champion in 2006 and 2007, prevailed in an all-English clash with Tania Bailey, beating the 5/8 seed 11-2, 11-9, 12-10.

The men's climax promises a mouth-watering all-French clash – and a repeat of the last two years' finals – between top seed Gregory Gaultier and defending champion Thierry Lincou.

The Gallic duo have been fierce rivals throughout their careers – and their tournament head-to-head tally is delicately poised on 11 wins apiece as they prepare to do battle for the 2010 European crown!

Gaultier, the five-time champion from Aix-en-Provence, reached the final for the seventh successive year when he beat Hungary's 9/16 seed Mark Krajcsak 11-5, 11-5, 11-7.

Lincou, the former world champion from Marseille who is looking for his second European title, fought off 'Flying Finn' Olli Tuominen, defeating the 5/8 seed from Helsinki 12-10, 11-9, 11-2.

Colin White reports

Did I mention a storm yesterday? Well it really hit Saarbrucken in a big way last night, with the hot weather and sunshine now being replaced by rain and clouds. Nice for the English Players to bring their traditional weather with them, I even heard they have organized for there to be plenty of rain in South Africa for the World Cup!

Never mind, at least it's good weather for playing and watching squash.

The Men’s Qualifying got the tournament underway, with Manik (SVK), Sladecek (CZE), Carsten Schoor (GER), who joined his brother in the first round, Ravelli (NED), Rohrmueller (GER) and last but not least, the young man of the group, 40 years old Mark Andrew Burke (BEL), all taking their place against some of the top seeds later tonight.

Home interest was nearly boosted by Pamela Hathway, who lost a tight 3-2 against Manuela Manetta, the 9-16 seed from Italy. Sina Wall did give the home supporters something to cheer, by moving into the second round. Sisters Edina and Szilvia Szombati from Hungary, were unable to get passed their higher ranked opponents, but at least they get time to spend together as Szilvia flies back to the US after the event.

“The calm before the storm” ...
Colin White prepares for the EICC

Players and coaches are arriving as I type. Some are going to the 4 star tournament Hotel, Victor’s, (a place where I shared breakfast with such stars as Boris Becker and Henri Leconte during my technical visit last year) for some relaxation after their short or long journeys, while others have come straight to the club for some practicing and getting the feel of the courts.

The Organising Committee have been hard at work, not only today, but for weeks and months before this event. In the run-up to the EICC 2010, this club has already successfully hosted the Bundesliga Final and only last week hosted a WISPA tournament.

Regarding the event, will anybody be able to break the complete French domination of the Men’s or will we see another battle between Greg and Thierry, and will Greg be able to reclaim his title?

Jon Kemp or LJ might have some say in the matter, but also watch out for the home hope of Simon Rosner and Swiss No.1, Nicolas Muller.

The Women’s will be another tight, battle between England, France and the Netherlands just like the European Teams at the start of the month. Jenny Duncalf is the top seed, but will Vanessa Atkinson be able to add the individual crown to her first ever team title?

The EICC starts in earnest tomorrow, with 22 Nations and the search to find the Men’s and Women’s European Champion for 2010!


ESF Technical Director