Top Seeds Grinham & Kheirallah In Alexandria Final

Australia's Rachael Grinham will contest her 40th WISPA World Tour squash final when she faces Egypt's Engy Kheirallah in the climax of the Women's Alexandria Sporting Club Open at the Alexandria Sporting Club in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.

The 30-year-old from Toowoomba in Queensland, who first made her mark in the sport in 1993 when she became the World Junior Champion, beat the reigning world title holder Raneem El Weleily, the fourth seed from Egypt, 9-6, 2-9, 9-1, 9-5.

It was in March 1998 that Grinham, a former world number one now ranked three in the WISPA list, claimed her maiden Tour final appearance - winning the Toulouse Open in France.

There was also local Alexandria interest in the other semi-final, in which the 2005 champion Engy Kheirallah, the No2 seed from Alexandria, beat defending champion Isabelle Stoehr, the No3 seed from France, 10-9, 6-9, 9-7, 9-2.

The 2007 Alexandria Sporting Club final will mark Grinham and Kheirallah's second meeting this month, their fourth this year, their fifth on Egyptian soil, and the 11th of their careers. But it is the Australian who has always prevailed - leaving the 25-year-old Kheirallah looking for her first win in their first encounter on her home club's courts.

Semi-finals:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [4] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) 9-6, 2-9, 9-1, 9-5
[2] Engy Kheirallah (EGY) bt [3] Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) 10-9, 6-9, 9-7, 9-2