Top seed looks forward to smashing time
By Maya Salleh

Rachael Grinham, the top seed in the Brunei International Squash Women's Open 2004. Photo: James Kon

Rachael Grinham, Australia's world number two squash player, is in town to vie for top honours in the Brunei International Squash Women's Open 2004.

As number one Cassie Jackman withdrew from the tournament due to an Achilles injury, Rachael is taking over as top seed in the event hosted by the Brunei Squash Rackets Association, which will be televised internationally as part of WISPA Qatar Airways WISPA Grand Prix TV International Programming.

The 27-year-old from Toowoomba in the Australian state of Queensland, in an exclusive interview with the Borneo Bulletin yesterday, praised the facilities at the JPCC, saying that they are impressive and seemed new considering that the court is already ten years old.

Picking up squash even before she could hold a racket properly, Rachael could face a match against her younger sister, Natalie who has also entered the tournament.

On the possibility of playing against her younger sister in the semi-finals on Friday, Rachael promised it will be an interesting meeting as she needs to take "revenge" on Natalie for beating her in straight games in their last encounter in the WISPA World Grand Prix Finals in April.

She said that despite Jackman's absence from the event, she did not feel any difference in pressure as the tournament's top seed. She said that all the top five players deliver equal prowess on the court and they are also very close.

Rachael praised the Sultanate as the host, saying that she is impressed with the organisers and assured that she and the other players are well taken care of.

The qualifying to the quarter-finals rounds of the Brunei International Squash Women's Open 2004 will be played at the JPCC, whereas the semi-finals and the final will be played at the National Squash Centre on July 30 and 31.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin