HOME
Archive
Calendar
Tournaments
Kaleidoscope
Forum
Players
Interviews
Coaching
Links
Useful Info
Clubs
Photos
Shorts
In the Papers
Contact
UK
PSA
FRANCE
USA
SEARCH

GEAVES BACK IN THE
WINNER'S CIRCLE
Steven Grotowski reports
   
It's been a long while since Fiona Geaves won a tournament, but that is finally behind her now, as she won the 2nd Annual 2005 Florida WISPA Open on Sunday in just over 43 minutes.

The nerves kicked in early for both girls, as there were a lot of unforced errors early on in the match. Once they both settled down we witnessed some really gruelling points going back and forth with Fiona eventually taking a 7 - 2 lead. Like the semi final against Mel yesterday, Lauren appeared to dig deep and pulled out three more points to get to 5 - 8. She was able to hold off 5 game points before unfortunately losing the game on a stroke (which she said afterwards was a little harsh).

The second game started off like the first with both girls going back and forth on serve. Once again as she did with her young Canadian opponent Alana yesterday, Fiona started taking control, dominating the game and eventually winning 9 - 3. There was no difference in the third game, as no matter what Lauren tried to do, Fiona had an answer for it and eventually won 9 - 3.

Fiona said after the match that she knew from previous matches against Lauren, that she had to keep the pressure up and not allow her to get her foot in the door, otherwise she would be in trouble.

I know Lauren felt bad for not playing well, but the way I look at it and I'm sure the rest of the fans do, is that she didn't really play that bad, she just forced Fiona to step up her game and play that much better. It may not be much of a consolation, but the final was one of the best matches of the tournament and lived up to its billing.

On behalf of Florida Squash, I'd like to thank all our sponsors and the girls for coming and making this another great tournament despite the efforts of hurricane Wilma to thwart it. I hope you enjoyed my comments and ramblings and we look forward to having the girls back again next year.

Steven Grotowski

Lauren, Steven and Fiona

Lauren Briggs

9-7, 10-8, 9-3

Melanie Jans Burke

19-Nov, Semis:
All-English final in Florida
Steven Grotowski reports
   
I wish I could say warm greetings from sunny south Florida, but unfortunately it has been a very wet and miserable day. A couple of players tried to see a bit of the beach and ocean today, only to be thwarted by the weather. Almost reminds me of dear old England.

Fiona Geaves bt Alana Miller  9-6, 9-1, 9-1

Anyway, enough of this dribble, on to the Squash results. We had one upset today and will have an all British final. Fiona Geaves was initially caught off guard in the first game by Alana Miller's sharp volleying and fast attacking to take an early 4-0 lead. Unfortunately, for Alana, that lead did not last long. Fiona gradually settled into her groove and once again started to dominate her younger opponent. Although Alana tried to give a good account of herself, she was no match for Fi's power and experience. After 20 minutes the match was over with Fi sailing through to another easy victory.

Lauren Briggs bt Melanie Jans-Burke  9-7, 10-8, 9-3

The second match was very tightly contested and provided some very entertaining Squash for the spectators. The attacking and retrieving skills of these two girls was just unbelievable. Lauren Briggs set the tone early with her attacking and keeping Melanie Jans-Burke under constant pressure to take an early 6-0 lead. Eventually Mel was able to find her groove and tie the game up 7 all before Lauren finally regained control and win the first game.

After Lauren dominated the first game, Mel took control of the second game and slowed the pace and started working the points to take an 8-3 lead. Unfortunately, as hard as she tried, Mel couldn't put the game away. Lauren held off 6 game points against her and clawed her way back to eventually win 10-8. After having such a commanding lead and losing it, Mel never seemed to recover her form and subsequently lost the third game after an hour of play.

After a very entertaining afternoon of Squash, everyone was treated to dinner at the Old Calypso restaurant on the Intercoastal waterway in Delray Beach. Menu choices were Grilled Dolphin (no not flipper), Broiled Salmon, Prime Rib or Chicken Masala followed by desert and coffee. The players were thanked for coming and the sponsors were thanked for their support. Hopefully, everyone managed to stay dry on the way home, as yes it had started raining again. Here's to a great final.

Steven Grotowski

18-Nov, Quarters:
Top four Through in Florida
Steven Grotowski reports
   
Well no upsets tonight, all the matches went according to seeding. I think Charlie and Katie were a little unlucky not to get any first round matches because of the withdrawal and w/o and it showed in their match play.

Fiona Geaves bt Charlie De Rycke 9-3, 9-1, 9-1

Charlie has been here nearly a week with out a match, and even though she has practiced with the other girls, it would have been nice for her first match not to have been against the #1 seed. Fiona kept her under pressure from the beginning of the match and even though she came up with some brilliant shots, Charlie was never allowed to get into her comfort zone and relax enough to play the squash she is capable of.

Alana Miller bt Manuela Manetta 5-9, 10-8, 9-4, 9-6

The second match was a little harder fought with Manuela taking the first game and looking like a third victory in a row against Alana. Unfortunately for Manuela, six weeks of tournament play started to show with Alana taking the second 10-8. Alana's determination to stay in the match continued, even though Manuela tried to fight her way back, she just couldn't keep it going with Alana the eventual winner.

Lauren Briggs bt Katie Patrick  9-0, 9-3, 9-0

Katie arrived late Tuesday night to find out that her opponent on Wednesday was a no show. Fortunately, Georgina Stoker stepped up and agreed to play an exhibition match with Katie, but it still didn't allow her to get into the form she showed at last year's Florida Open. In the end Lauren just seemed sharper and more relaxed and in control of the match from the beginning with the Brit easily defeating the Canadian.

Melanie Jans-Burke bt Tara Mullins  9-4, 9-5, 9-5

The final match was between two Canadian players who also happened to practice together earlier. Although Melanie defeated Tara 3-0 the match was actually closer and tighter than the score shows. Tara was able to hold off five match points in the third through her quickness and determination, but she just couldn't quite pull the sixth match point out and Melanie eventually won.

16-Nov, Round One:
Florida Fun for WISPA Girls
Steven Grotowski reports
  
The first round matches were played over two nights at the University of Miami in Sunny South Florida, to enable more local businessmen and students to see the WISPA girls play after work and studies.

Despite there being one bye and two withdrawals,  the event was successful and the girls have been treated to fun in the sun, a day at the beach and an evening of folk music supplied by a sponsors neighbour who in turn provided Jamaican food and desert (all sugar chocolate cake and key lime pie). Who could ask for anything more!

Tomorrow the winners will have a rest day and get transported to Boca Pointe Country Club where the final rounds will be played on Friday - Sunday. The girls will have a meet and greet the sponsors cocktail event on Friday night and then a Saturday night dinner at a popular restaurant in Delray Beach which is on the Inter-coastal waterway.