Squash: Off-song Owens sent packing

NOTTINGHAM - New Zealand world No 1 Carol Owens will have to wait another year to achieve her British Open dream after a shock semifinal loss yesterday.

Owens was toppled 5-9, 7-9, 3-9 in just 38 minutes at Albert Hall, Nottingham, by rising Australian star Rachael Grinham, the tournament third seed, who had lost their previous 10 meetings.

It was Owens' first loss in 11 months and the first since she took over as the world's highest-ranked player in March.

The New Zealander looked vulnerable in her quarter-final win against Grinham's younger sister, Natalie, on Saturday in another error-strewn performance.

Rachael, 26, said she spotted Owens' flaws in the quarter-final, discussed them with Natalie, 24, and then zeroed in to reach her first British Open final.

"It's definitely the biggest win of my career, beating the world No 1. Even if I was going to win, I didn't think it would be 3-0," she said.

"She made mistakes and I think she panicked.

"I saw her in the quarter-final against Natalie and she looked a bit shaky and nervous, so I thought I could take advantage of that.

"I think she felt a bit of pressure, being world No 1 and never having won the British Open, and it got to her. She was playing shots she didn't need to.

"Natalie and I cover the court better than most players and can get most shots back. Carol wanted to finish points as quickly as possible, but was making mistakes."

Grinham has an inventive front-court style and wrong-footed Owens with boasts and drops. But Owens contributed to her own downfall with tinned drop-shots and wayward lobs.

She lost her way in the first two games, but led 3-0 in the third before losing the last nine points.

Her career includes the world open title in 2000 and 25 professional wins from 47 finals - the British Open being the glaring omission.

She came closest in 2001, when she was runner-up to Australian Sarah Fitz-Gerald.

New Zealand's Susan Devoy won the British Open eight times between 1984 and 1992, and Leilani Rorani won in 1999 and 2000.

Grinham will meet England sixth-seed Cassie Jackman in the final. Jackman beat No 2 Natalie Grainger from the United States in another upset 9-6, 9-7, 9-5.

Men's second seed David Palmer won a tough battle with fellow Australian Anthony Ricketts 9-15, 15-12, 15-14, 8-15, 15-12.

He will play off for his second British Open title against world No 1 Peter Nicol, of England, who beat Canadian fourth seed Jonathon Power 12-15, 11-15, 17-14, 15-13, 15-13 in a marathon 112 minutes.

- NZPA