Men's
Final
Courtesy Of Tim Garner
 Adrian Grant took the Reliable Networks BSPA Grand Prix Finals with
a hard fought but straight games victory over fellow England
international Daryl Selby at the Roehampton Club. It was the perfect
return to form for Grant given his inclusion in the England Squad
for next week’s World Team Championships in Mulhouse, France. The
opener was nip and tuck to 7-7 before Grant eased away, and the
second followed a similar pattern to 8-8 before Grant extended his
lead. It looked as though the writing was on the wall for Selby as
he fell behind 6/9 in the third but he rallied to 9-9 much to the
crowds delight in anticipation of an extended final. However, some
what unusually for Grant, it was soon over in straight games with
the second seed closing things out 3-0.
 Grant appropriately thanked those involved in
rejuvenating the event at the Roehmapton Club, including sponsors
Realiable Networks, and looked forward to returning next year to
defend his title.
L-R:
Paul Lindsay (Roehampton),
Paul Fisher (Reliable Networks),
Adrian Grant and Daryl SelbyOf Tim Garner
Men's Semi Finals
Courtesy Of Tim Garner
Top seed Daryl Selby overcame
a spirited challenge from Eddie Charlton to take his final berth in
the Reliable Networks BSPA Grand Prix Finals. Selby was joined by
England team-mate Adrian Grant who got past Guernsey’s Chris Simpson
in the evening’s second semi-final. Selby looked to be struggling a
little early on as Charlton won the first but steadied the ship to
take the second and then played immaculate squash in the third to
close it out without dropping a single point! The fourth was more
evenly matched but Selby always looked in control and so it proved
to be as he finished off his younger opponent in just under 50
minutes.
The Grant
versus Simpson encounter was played out at a furious pace from the
off. The first could have gone either way as both players battled
ascendency but it was Grant who gained the upper hand edging it on
the tie break. Simpson bounced back to take the second, but it was
Grant who came out the stronger in the third to again get on top.
Simpson battled valiantly to the death, but it was Grant who
finished the stronger to set up a much anticipated clash with Selby
in Friday night’s final.
Men's Quarter Finals
Courtesy Of Tim Garner
The top
seeds in the Reliable Networks Grand Prix Finals were both made to
work for a berth in next round at the Roehampton Club. In the men’s
event World no.11 Daryl Selby looked to have weathered the storm
having nicked the first against Chris Fuller and then opening up a 2
game lead. However, the Nottingham based youngster had other ideas
as a capitalised on Selby taking his foot off the gas in the third
to pull one back. England international Selby then steadied the ship
and efficiently closed out the match in four to take up his
semi-final berth. He will play Eddie Charlton who saved 3 game balls
in the first against Ben Coleman but was quickly back on the ropes
as Coleman levelled it at one a-piece. Unperturbed the fourth seed
regained control of the match and worked Coleman from corner to
corner eventually also coming though in four.
Earlier
in the evening the longest match of the night, put paid to the
schedule, as third seed Chris Simpson battled to contain the
exuberant Joel Hinds. Simpson twice found himself behind aft er
squandering a healthy lead in the third and again made life hard for
himself as he allowed Hinds to build up a head of steam in the
fifth. A clinical forehand drop at 8/10 saved one match ball, and a
dive just secured a let and saved another at 9/10 as Hinds continued
to attack the front of the court, saving one match ball himself with
a spectacular cross court nick. However, eventually it was Simpson
who prevailed to set up a clash with second seed Adrian Grant.
Reliable Networks Grand Prix winner Andy Whipp & Grant entertained
the crowd with some fast and furious rallies. Grant, World no.22,
opened up a two-game lead but as is his trademark he kept the crowd
entertained dropping the third before closing out the fourth to
complete the top seeds in the semis.
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