Grinham Reclaims Hurghada Crown

Australia's Rachael Grinham celebrated her fifth successive appearance on the final of the Hurghada International by reclaiming the WISPA World Tour Silver event trophy from Egyptian Omneya Abdel Kawy on the all-glass court on The Plaza in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

A packed crowd cheered on the local favourite - and second seed Kawy established leads in all three games. But Grinham, the 30-year-old top seed from Queensland, each time pulled back the deficit - and went on to beat her 21-year-old opponent 9-4, 9-6, 9-4 in 44 minutes, thus avenging her defeat in last year's final.

"It was a real relief," said the new champion afterwards. "I was just happy to have played well and to have been really focused. If anything it was better than yesterday.

"Sometimes it has been a bit disappointing to come off court recently knowing I could have played a bit better but didn't.

"I wasn't confident coming into the event, but I played well against Engy (Kheirallah) and carried it forward tonight. The mental thing is very important when you are playing a top player," added Grinham.

The former world number one from Toowoomba, who is based in Cairo, now boasts 23 WISPA World Tour titles - and has extended her lead above Malaysian rival Nicol David as the current player with the most Tour titles.

Kawy was disappointed with her performance: "I couldn't find my game and even when I played OK she was getting everything. She was too fast and getting everything today and not making mistakes.

"When you want something really badly, it can turn the other way like for me today. I was so tired at the end, even with the crowd trying to help me, I couldn't do anything," concluded Abdel Kawy.

Final:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [2] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 9-4, 9-6, 9-4 (44m)