TEXAS OPEN 2005

FINAL SAT 9 APRIL

Vanessa Atkinson (Ned) (2) beat Rachael Grinham (Aus) (1) 9/10 0/9 9/4 9/3 9/2 (61m)

Had she done the maths before the Texas Open final Vanessa Atkinson could have known that a win over Rachael Grinham would take her into unofficial world top spot in the WISPA rankings. But very much provisionally as there is the small matter of the Qatar Airways Challenge to be played before the next listing appears on 1^st May.

They have been drifting inexorably towards a wafer thin gap as Grinham has faltered and this month will certainly be pivotal as action moves to the Gulf next.

Here, though, the factors coming into the final would have seemed to be a very definite uplift in the form of Grinham, looking very steady and effective, set against the strong but slightly more unpredictable Atkinson. However, since she contrived to lose to Grinham from 2/0 and 7/2 in the semi finals of the British Open the Dutchwoman had reasserted herself by beating her 3/0 in the Qatar Classic a month later and won the Tournament of Champions in New York in February.

Perhaps another facet would be Atkinsons ankle as a twist in the quarters required her to strap it before semi and final.

Grinham would have the benefit of sister Natalie in her corner. The Dutch cast list for the final would be completed by Amsterdam based Nicol David in Atkinsons corner.

The accompanying amateur event had been completed and the stands at Plaza of the Americas were filled with tournament players and spectators. Overfilled in fact, with so many more hanging over balconies on floors overlooking the ice rink.

The match started with the world champion (now back in her own skirt having solved her laundry issue) having to get close up and personal with all corners of the court while Grinham would push and prod the ball into them. But Atkinson is fit and willing, and confident of her resilience these days. Not only that but hungry for the win that would take her to the rankings peak if she could avoid an early loss in Qatar.

Both though, were clearly a little ragged as their nerves were settling.

Grinham, so often fairly slow to settle into her rhythm was floating. Waif-like, she doesnt appear to make a sound as she treads the court boards, while Atkinson, simply a bigger frame, moves in a stronger way. Both work very efficiently, though.

Grinham was using her trademark volley boast, starting high on the side wall before drifting into the opposite front corner. Atkinson was stretching, reaching and returning high. Sometimes the roles would be reversed; at others exchanges would be straighter.

The end of the first saw Grinham poised at 8/7 only to tin. Atkinson then found two telling drops to reach her own game ball, only to hit a streaky backhand drop down. Grinham levelled and won the game when her opponent gave away a weak mid court stroke. She was disappointed, Grinham relieved.

In the second the Cairo based Australian was clearly more confident, and aided by an error strewn stretch of play from Atkinson, ran away with the game.

All over? It certainly looked like it but as the third started Grinham had tightened a little. A little anxiety, tension in her play and Atkinson having a final fling. Grinham was making too many errors to end her well constructed rallies, and after 41 minutes the score had been pegged back to 2/1.

Natalie Grinham was in close and earnest conversation with her sister on one side of the court, while Nicol David was probably only needing to tell Atkinson to keep going on the other side.

The momentums had now shifted, and try as she might, Grinham could not wrest it back. Atkinson had never come back from two down to beat Grinham but as she comfortably levelled the match it seemed likely that she would this time.

The players entered the court for the fifth to a big ovation, but the cheers at the end were for the Dutch player as she raised her hands in triumph. Boasts and overheads that the Australian had slotted in earlier were finding the tin too often, and she could only rally rather than find answers in the decider. After 61 minutes she had lost.

Addressing the spectators the winner could only exclaim That took everything I had to come back. It must have been one of our best matches. After she had cooled down she added a more considered response to reporters, Once I lost the first I lost my focus and concentration to go two down quickly, but then I thought I would simply keep it together and see what happens. Things that were working for her earlier began to hit the tin.

As for the loser, Grinham commented, Vanessa head went down but then she relaxed and started to play well again. She was a different person and I panicked a bit.

This title has gone from Grinham, a holder vanquished, and as of now Atkinson has the world number one world ranking in her grasp for the first time if she can stay the course at the next event. May 1^st probably cannot come soon enough for Vanessa Atkinson, World champion, Texas Open winner and world number one in waiting.