STRONG OPENING DAY OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

With just over one year to go until the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games,  Australia’s leading Squash athletes have descended on Sydney for the Australian National Championships (ANC) that kicked off today.

Running through until Sunday 20 June, the ANC will form an important stepping stone for athletes who have their sights set on Birmingham.  

For full results and draws - click here. 

Women’s number one seed and Scarborough Squash Club local, Rachael Grinham, kicked off her campaign today with a strong win over Maja Maziuk (3-0).

Grinham was pleased to start her nationals off with the win and was impressed with the women’s standard that is set to line up over the next four days. 

“The first match is always an important one to make sure you get a feel for the court and I was really happy with that match,” said Grinham. 

“I think for the top four or five (women) it is all very even, we never know who is going to win on the day and it makes each tournament exciting.

“It is great that we have a lot of the top juniors here playing. It is good for us to play with different players, but also for these girls to experience hitting with the top girls as well. 

“Hopefully that will help our standard grow in Australia as our juniors come up through the ranks,” she said. 

Grinham’s fellow Sandgate club mate and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games representative Tamika Hunt (Sandgate Squash Centre) also delivered a strong performance to take a three-nil win against Sze You Lee.

While Hunt is working towards her ultimate goal of another Commonwealth Games, right now she has her sights firmly set on Australian National Championships.

“This is one of the major tournaments on our calendar… so right now it’s just focusing on one game, one tournament at a time.  It’s always great to start a event off with a three set win. 

“Everyone wants to be the National Champion… and there is plenty of good talent in the [women’s] competition,” she said. 

In the men’s competition, Western Australia’s William Curtis (Mirrabooka Squash Club) pushed Tate Norris (Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club) to a thrilling five set match to claim his first win in the Championships. 

“It is pretty relieving to walk away with a win after my first game in the tournament,” said Curtis.

“I was two love up and then I lost my head a bit and came back and got the win in five which I am very thankful for.

“I went to the States in 2016 so this is my first National Championships in five years and it is really good to be back. I’ve come in with no expectations, just to give it my best shot,” 

“This is a really strong tournament and it is great to be a part of the competition,” he said. 

Saturday’s competition will see defending National Men’s Champion Nick Calvert (Wavel Squash Club) line up alongside fellow Queenslander and top seeded men’s player Rhys Dowling (Sandgate Squash Centre) kick start their campaign. 

For full results - click here.

WATCH I To watch all the action from the PSA competition Australian National Championships - watch www.cluch.tv or download the APP.