Top seed Natalie Grinham lifted her second successive PSA World Tour title with a 3-1 triumph over England’s Georgina Kennedy in the final of the 2nd Tournoi International du Val de Marne, PSA W5 event.
The former World No.2 was magnificent in the early stages of the tournament as she failed to lose a single game, with home hope Chloe Mesic being put to the sword in the semi-final. Kennedy on the other hand had dispatched number two seed Cyrielle Peltier in the quarter-final before moving on to down compatriot Alison Thomson to book her place in the final.
The experienced Grinham started the match on the front foot with the 37-year-old controlling proceedings in the first game to secure an 11-4 win. Kennedy didn’t give up though and, after some unforced errors from Grinham, found herself back on a level footing after prevailing in game two.
Grinham was back in control in the third though after some lengthy rallies went in the Dutchwoman’s favour. Kennedy put up a good fight but she was powerless to stop Grinham from pressing on to an 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6 victory in 41 minutes.
Her win in Paris represents a remarkable return to form for Grinham who, after enduring a barren spell in 2014, has now lifted two PSA World Tour titles this year in addition to reaching the final of the Tournament of Pyramides four months ago.
