Squash: Grinham easily wins battle of the Natalies

Natalie Grinham (front) on her way to dispatching Natalie Grainger in yesterday's NZ Open final. Photo / Alan Gibson

World squash number three Natalie Grinham of the Netherlands made surprisingly light work of American Natalie Grainger in yesterday's New Zealand Open final in Mt Maunganui to claim the first New Zealand Open title of the new era.

The New Zealand Open, resurrected in 2009 after a 16-year hiatus, attracted a host of big-name players in the women's game, with seven of the world's top 10 competing.

With just one place in the rankings separating Grainger (2) and Grinham (3), an epic five-game duel was expected in the final.

But Grainger, who has had little match play heading in to the event, was never able to settle in to any sort of rhythm and was shut out by a clinical and efficient Grinham.

The Australian-born star, who defeated local hope Shelley Kitchen in Saturday's semifinal, took just 28 minutes to dispatch Grainger 11-9, 11-5, 11-8.

The world number three admitted she was surprised by the ease with which she overcame Grainger. Grinham said her opponent made a number of unforced errors which she was able to take advantage of.

"Grainger missed a few today, she's usually a bit sharper than that."

Grainger said she had hoped to be able to work her way in to the match, but made life tough for herself with some untidy errors.

The British-born star had her chances early in the third game, but handed the momentum back to Grinham after losing three straight points through poorly weighted shots.

Grainger, the star attraction, said she was alarmed by the speed at which the games got away from her.

"I sort of sat down and thought, 'Bloody hell I'm not even tired,' it was a bit of a nightmare really," she said.

"It was a bit rusty for me today,...I haven't played for three months and I've had a couple of injury issues with me feet so all in all I'm really chuffed in how I played."

Grainger will play an exhibition match against Kitchen tonight at Herne Bay before heading home to prepare for next month's British Open.

The Kiwi number one sprung a surprise during yesterday's post-tournament presentations, announcing she is expecting her first child with New Zealand squash coach and former world number three Anthony Ricketts.

Kitchen, who is due in February next year, is taking time out from the game for now, but hopes to be back for next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

"I'm just going to see how things go," said Kitchen. "If I can get back to a really good level of fitness to play the Commonwealth Games, then I'll definitely be there."

In the men's classic, New Zealand's Campbell Grayson overcame compatriot Martin Knight 12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7 in a hard-fought 79-minute final.