Crome Shines In Vietnam

Vietnam's first experience of professional squash drew to a highly successful climax today when New Zealander Louise Crome beat Joshna Chinappa, from India, in the final of the inaugural Women's WISPA Vietnam Open to win the second Tour title of her career in the WISPA Premiere Series event at the Hanoi Club in the country's capital city Hanoi.

The thirteenth most populous country in the world, Vietnam boasts over 85 million inhabitants. "Squash is so embryonic in the country that it is without a national squash federation," commented WISPA Chief Executive Andrew Shelley. "It hasn't been able to co-ordinate with the rest of the international squash family. But this week has been a catalyst of change.

"A volunteer has been found and hopefully soon there will be a link to the proactive Asian Squash Federation. With their help, WSF will soon have another country on its books too," added Shelley.

Battle lines were drawn early on in the final - Crome opting for driving mixed with attacking boasts, while Chinappa tried hard to find angles; to stretch Crome at the front and then punch to the back.

The top-seeded Kiwi reached game ball first, a tight drop ultimately securing the tight game for Crome. And fifth seed Chinappa made it too easy for the Netherlands-based 29-year-old from Auckland in the second, as Crome quickly extended her lead to 2/0.

But it was back to business for Chinappa, from Chennai, who led 6-5 in the third. Crome reclaimed the advantage, but it was only on her third match ball that the event favourite was able to win the point to clinch the match 9-7, 9-1, 9-7 after 47 minutes.

"The first game was crucial," said the maiden Vietnam champion afterwards. "Joshna was hitting great length and putting me in trouble at the back. And although I squeezed it I knew I had to find my own length better.

"I'm going to KL in a good frame of mind and will be ready to get going in the tournament there after two days off," she added.

Final:
[1] Louise Crome (NZL) bt [5] Joshna Chinappa (IND) 9-7, 9-1, 9-7 (47m)