SQUASH AUSTRALIA | Former World Number 1 claims 2021 Gold Coast PSA Women’s Title
Published Mon 18 Jan 2021
Photo: Seize the Light - Craig Stewart
Rachael Grinham has been crowned the 2021 Gold Coast PSA Women's Champion after defeating Sarah Cardwell 3-0 in the final at Carrara on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
The former World Number 1 and current World Number 29 from Queensland was at her brilliant best against the current World Number 57 and Victorian, winning the final in just 21-minutes.
The 43-year-old has had a stellar career to date and went into the contest against her 29-year-old opponent very relaxed.
"I didn't have expectations that I was going to win the match, (going into the game) and it could have gone either way," Rachael says.
"I was a bit more relaxed heading into the game and I felt like I was moving well."
The tournament number one seed worked her opponent around the court using a combination of drop shots, long drives and forehand stroke play. She often caught Sarah out of position to win some key rallies that helped paved the way for victory.
"I was quite happy with myself that I was quite focused knowing where she was," Rachael says.
She paid credit to her opponent who wasn't able to perform at her best on the day.
"Sarah has been doing really well with her training and playing really well," she says.
Rachael progressed to the final after defeating eighth seed Natalie Newton on Friday 11-3, 11-5, 11-6 and Madison Lyon on Saturday 11-6, 11-6, 11-1.
Reigning Australian National Men's Champion Nicholas Calvert (QLD) defeated Bryan Lim (QLD) in the Men's final 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9.
In other finals; Jessica Osborne (NT) defeated Sophie Fadaely (QLD) in the Women’s Plate final 12-10, 11-7, 11-3 while Queensland’s Joel Luca defeated Victorian Joshua Fadaely-Sidhu 11-3, 11-9, 11-7 in the Men’s Plate final.
