Rachael finds touch, enters pre-quarters

Hyderabad, July 5 (UNI) Former World Number One Rachael Grinham of Australia started her title defence in style with a straight set win over qualifier Carla Khan of Pakistan in the 80,000 Dollar Qatar Airways WISPA World Tour Squash Championship here today.

After a tough first game, in which the wily Pakistani came back twice to draw level, the Aussie, ranked World Number four, found her silken touch to win 9-5, 9-2, 9-0 in a canter to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the third biggest event in the WISPA calendar.

Joining Rachael in the last 16 stage was world number 21 Dominique Lloyd-Walter of England, who put paid to the hopes of next ranked Latasha Khan of United States 9-2, 9-5, 9-7.

It was all over in 30 minutes. What started as a close contest faded into a lop-sided one as Carla failed to sustain the early momentum.

Such was Rachael's dominance that she reduced Carla to a mere spectator, winning the last 22 points, conceding a mere two points.

Controlling the game from the back court and repeatedly catching her rival on the wrong foot, Rachael was at her best.

MORE UNI GV AY DS1621