Coppinger & Huisman Swoop To Swiss Open Success

Margriet Huisman, the third seed from the Netherlands, and South African Stephen Coppinger, the 12th seed, became the surprise winners of the Sigma Swiss Open titles after straight games wins in the semi-finals of the 34th staging of this popular international circuit event in Geneva.

Coppinger reached the final at Geneva Squash Club after three successive defeats of higher-seeded players, including Englishmen Neil Hitchens and Shaun le Roux, the 7th and 11th seeds, respectively, and France's second seed Mathieu Castagnet.

In the final, the UK-based 22-year-old faced Egyptian Mohd Ali Anwar Reda, the top seed who had reached the climax without dropping a game.

But Coppinger was simply too quick for the favourite, winning 11-9, 11-2, 11-8.

"After 20 hard games of squash, it was a credit to Stephen's fitness that he came through so convincingly, keeping his opponent under pressure throughout the match," said tournament organiser Bob Lincoln.

Coppinger now boasts an impressive record of two PSA Tour titles from two final appearances - after winning the Buler Challenge Cup in his Tour final debut in Hong Kong in January.

France's fourth seed Camille Serme, appearing in her maiden WISPA World Tour final, led in both the first two games against third seed Margriet Huisman. But the 17-year-old European Junior champion lost her momentum both times as Huisman caught up to take a two-game lead.

The 23-year-old from Arnhem didn't look back thereafter, however, dropping only one further point as she picked up her 9-7, 9-5, 9-1 victory.

The win marked Huisman's third WISPA title - and her second this year after securing the Swedish Open crown last month in Linköping.

Men's final:
[12] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt [1] Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (EGY) 11-9, 11-2, 11-8

Women's final:
[3] Margriet Huisman (NED) bt [4] Camille Serme (FRA) 9-7, 9-5, 9-1