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[2] Louise Crome (Nzl) bt [1] Sarah Kippax (Eng)
       9/2, 9/5, 6/9, 7/9, 9/1 (47m)

First title for Crome
Poku Salo reports from Mikkeli

The final started in Louise's control; her shots were accurate and she was playing very attacking game. The first game was her show; she returned every shot that Sarah had to offer and took the first game 9/2 in seven minutes.

The beginning of the second game started like the first. Louise got a 3-0 lead, but Sarah fought back to 3-3. Game went on evenly until 5-5, but from this point on it was again Louise who controlled. Second game to Louise 9/5 (11min).

It looked like Louise was going to take the final in three games, but Sarah found her game in the third; she started well and forced Louise into the corners. Her attacking shots worked, and she won the game 9/6 in 12 minutes.

Also the fourth game started in Sarah's control. It seemed like Louise was starting to get a bit tired and she couldn't return the ball as well as in the two first games. It was impossible to say who was going to win this game, both players gave their best and fought hard; they offered the audience some great rallies and very entertaining squash. Sarah kept the pressure on and Louise made some errors in the end: game to Sarah 9/7 in 10 minutes.

In the decider Louise found the energy and the accuracy that she had in the first two games. She had the control and didn't lose it; fifth game to Louise 9/1 in seven minutes and the match 3-2.

"I'm really happy to win my first WISPA title. I played here also in 2002 and wanted to come back again. It was a tough match!"

Anyone for a dip in the lake ??? 
Orla Noom and Susannah King
 take the plunge this year ...

[1] Sarah Kippax (Eng bt [4] Orla Noom (Ned)
      10/8, 9/6, 6/9, 9/2 (53m)
[2] Louise Crome (Nzl) bt [3] Christina Mak (Hkg)
      9/5, 4/9, 9/5, 9/5

Top seeds Kippax and Crome
in Mikkeli Climax
Poku Salo reports from Mikkeli

Top seed Sarah Kippax got an early 5-0 lead in the first semi-final, but Orla Noom fought back to even the score at 7 and 8 all before the Englishwoman took the game 10/8. Orlaq dominated the start of the second game, but Sarah came back strongly to take the game 9/6. In the third Orla got her game sorted and made less mistakes as she pulled a game back. Sarah came to the fourth with a higher pace and that worked fine as she took the game 9/2 and the match in 53 minutes.

"The pace was high throughout the match," said Kippax afterwards. "But I'll be ready for the final. I'll get some sleep and relax, that will do it!"

The second semi between Louise Crome and Christina Mak seemed to be going comfortably to Louise when she won the first game 9/5. Christina came to the second very concentrated and took a 7-0 lead in two hands and went on to win it 9-4. Christina continued well and had a 4-1 and 5-2 lead before Louise realized what was happening. The New Zealander then lifted the tempo and took the game in one hand 9/5. Louise kept the pace in the fourth, but while Christina didn't give in, eventually Louise's good lengths and accurate drops gave her the game 9/5 and a place in Monday's final.

"Christina slowed the game down and only hit the ball back," said Crome. "I'm very much looking forward to tomorrow's final."
  

Draw & Results

2006 Event

"I enjoyed playing very much, Jenna is very talented.

"This was the first time we played."

The first game was very physical, we played long rallies and were both a bit tired. The second I won easily, but in the third Jutta put some more pressure on me.

It took me a while to get used to the pace. I started to lob and play low tempo. The referee made some strange decisions, but it didn't really bother me.

Kylie Lindsay

Jenna Gates

I played well and stayed in the control throughout the game. In the third Selina attacked more and I had to go back to playing basic game. I'm looking forward to playing Jenna.

10/8, 9/6, 6/9, 9/2

Orla Noom

19.00
 

9/5, 4/9, 9/5, 9/5