Nicol David and Natalie Grinham set up repeat of 2007 final at Singapore Women’s Squash Open

Contributed by Joyce Poon

Kallang Squash Centre, Friday, August 7, 2009 – Natalie Grinham shaded the battle of the Grinham sisters in the semi-finals of the CIMB Singapore Women's Open to earn a return to the title-decider. It will be the second trip to the final for the Australian-born player who now plays for the Netherlands. And just like the first time around, standing in her way is world number one Nicol David.

Playing her sister Rachael was not perhaps the best lead-up, but the match still went for 50 minutes.

Rachael moved around well, and showed no ill-effects from her dodgy ankle. In fact, she even managed to leave her mark on Natalie, and didn't realise it till it was pointed out to her after the match.

Here's how 31-year-old Natalie described the incident: "She stood on my foot but she didn't realise it, I went straight over and a bruise came up rightaway."

But Natalie was quick to point out that it would not affect her in the final, seeing as she went on to beat Rachael 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8.

In the final, Natalie hopes it will be her turn to put her mark on the World No 1: "I will go out and do my best and run everything down and hopefully come out the champion."

The second semi-final was an outstanding affair. Long rallies, incredible shot making, and superb retrieves that left the capacity crowd oohing and aahing in delight. Despite an exhausting 80-minute quarter-final last night against Jenny Duncalf, Alison Waters gave her very best against the world number one.

She dropped the first two games 11-5, 11-8, paying the price for going for quick kills that did not quite work out. But in the third game, Waters upped the aggression and with it her accuracy. Shooting to a 4-0 lead, she did not relinquish her lead, winning 11-7.

The fourth game was all David as the long rallies took their toll on Waters, with the Penangite running out 11-8 winners.

Looking ahead to the final with Natalie Grinham, whom she beat here in the 2007 title match, David said: "I played her last week I Kuala Lumpur, and beat her in the World Games final in Kaohsiung. We have some good matches together but knowing this is the final, I just want to give it a good go."

Asked if it's important for her to land the hat-trick here in Singapore, David replied: "For me it's just important for play well, and if I do play well, then the result will come."

The 2007 final took 54 minutes with David winning 6, 5 and 5 under the old hand-out scoring system. It's 2009, and it's point-a-rally now. But will it be, as they say, déjà vu all over again?