Atkinson Takes Texas Title To Close In On Number One Ranking

Netherlands star Vanessa Atkinson fought back from two games down to defeat Australia's world No1 Rachael in the final of the Women's Texas Open to lift the WISPA Grand Prix title for the first time on the all-glass court at the Plaza of The Americas in Dallas - and close in on the world number one ranking.

Atkinson's third successive win over Grinham since December takes her ahead of her rival in the provisional standings - but both players will also contest the Qatar Airways Challenge before the next official list appears on 1st May.

Grinham led 8-7 in the first game, before hitting the tin. Atkinson then found two telling drops to reach her own game ball, only to hit a streaky backhand drop down. The top-seeded Australian levelled and won the game when her opponent gave away a weak mid-court stroke. Atkinson's disappointment was contrasted by Grinham's relief!

In the second, the Cairo-based Australian was clearly more confident and, aided by an error-strewn stretch of play from Atkinson, ran away with the game to move 2/0 up.

It certainly looked like as if the match was all over - but, as the third started, Grinham began to tighten up. Second seed Atkinson surged back as the Queenslander began to make too many errors - and, after 41 minutes, the score was pegged back to 2/1.

The momentum had now shifted and, try as she might, Grinham could not wrest it back. Atkinson had never come back from two down to beat Grinham but as she comfortably levelled the match it seemed likely that she would this time.

The players entered the court for the fifth to a big ovation, but the cheers at the end were for the Dutch player as she raised her hands after her 9-10 0-9 9-4 9-3 9-2 triumph in 61 minutes.

"That took everything I had to come back," said the victorious Vanessa after capturing her 15th WISPA World Tour title. "It must have been one of our best matches. Once I lost the first I lost my focus and concentration to go two down quickly, but then I thought I would simply keep it together and see what happens. Things that were working for her earlier began to hit the tin."

Runner-up Grinham commented: "Vanessa's head went down but then she relaxed and started to play well again. She was a different person and I panicked a bit."

Atkinson has the world number one world ranking in her grasp for the first time if she can stay the course at the next event. The pair are seeded to meet again in the final of the Qatar Airways Challenge on Saturday 23rd April - the outcome of which would decide the May WISPA World rankings.

After this very successful event masterminded by Susan Morrison and her Dallas SRA team, the event will continue its alternation with the baton being passed back to Houston in 2006, where Atkinson will attempt to defend her Lone Star State open title.

Final:
[2] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt [1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 9-10, 0-9, 9-4, 9-3, 9-2 (61m)