Tournament News 09...

Tan Update - 30/06/09

I am now almost 8 weeks post-op, I saw the surgeon 2 weeks ago and have been off the crutches since then. Walking was really strange at first having not put my foot down for 6 weeks but it felt really good to be able to get about again and my leg has improved a lot since.

The surgeon was really happy with my progress, my hip was doing a lot better than they expected, I have started to do more strength work now and will steadily build it up over the next 4 weeks. I can also use the bike more, start on the cross trainer and I will continue to use the pool too.

I am feeling really positive about my progress and I am really pleased with how everything is improving, I will continue to do the exercises and see the physio regularly. I am not sure when it will be yet but I can’t wait to get back on court...

Tan Update - 08/06/09

It is now almost 5 weeks since my opeartion. I go back to see the surgeon in just over a weeks time on the 17th June. I should be able
to put my weight through my leg again and stop using the crutches. I am really exited about that! My hip is continuing to improve, I have
got full range of movement in it now and it feels like it would be fine to walk on ( I just have to wait a bit longer to make sure it has
healed fully and make sure that it it will be good in the future).

My exercises have progressed and I am still going to the pool as often as possible, I can now swim properly using my legs as well as my arms
which is great and I have increased the amount of running I am doing in the water.

I went to Vicky and Stewarts wedding on Friday which was really nice and great to have a few days away. I have physio again tomorrow and look forward to the next few weeks to see how things go...

Tan Update - 27/05/09

"It is now 3 weeks since my operation and everything is going well. I am more confident now on the crutches and my range of movement in my leg is better so I can get out a bit more.

I am also allowed to drive now. I am still seeing the physio twice a week and doing my exercises everyday. I am also going to the pool as often as I can. I have started running in the water wearing an aqua jogger.

I have 3 more weeks of none weight bearing on that leg. Time has gone quick which is great and I look forward to each day to see how things are improving. I will update you again next week."

Pics from Tan...

Tan Update - 19/05/09

"It is now almost 2 weeks since I had my hip surgery. I am feeling good. I saw the physio on Friday and he progressed my exercises slightly and I also had the stitches removed on Friday so I am allowed to go in the pool now. I can walk in deep water and I can also do some simple exercises stood in the water too.

Everything I am doing is still fairly basic but it gives me something to focus on which is great. I feel like each day I am getting more movement back in my hip and it feels like it is getting a bit stronger each day.

I am using my spare time to get on with some studying. I am in the second year of a sport science degree and I have got quite a lot of work to hand in during the summer so at least I have some time to do that. I am seeing the physio today and then again on Friday and I am hoping he will be pleased with how things are going!"

Pics from Tan...

Tan Update - 08/05/09

"I had my hip operation on Wednesday 6th May. I had it done at the Wellington hospital by Richard Villar. The operation was bigger than
originally thought but it all went well.

The surgeon smoothed off the rough cartilage, removed loose cartilage and did a microfracture of the femoral head. I will be on crutches for 6 weeks.

I have already started simple rehabilitation exercises and will start to work with the physio at the end of next week."

Results

FINAL

CHAPEL ALLERTON BT DUFFIELD 3-2

For all the results click here:

Excerpt from Howard Harding Report...

Media

For all the news from the tournament see the squash site...

Results

FINAL

ENGLAND BT NETHERLANDS 3-0

SEMI FINAL

ENGLAND BT FRANCE 3-0

For all the results click here:

Pictures

Tans Pics...

Squashsite Pics...

Tournament Report...

England retained their European Teams Title in Malmo (Sweden) on Saturday by beating the Netherlands 3-0 in the final.

In the final, Jenny beat Natalie Grinham, Alison beat Vanessa Atkinson and in the dead rubber Laura beat Annelize Naude.

Tania had played in the earlier league matches, beating players from Ireland, Germany and Belgium.

Next up for Tania is an appearance for Duffield in the National league final and then its her hip operation the day after...

Media

For all the news from the tournament see the squash site...

Results

SARAH KIPPAX BEAT TANIA

11/9 12/10 11/7

TANIA BEAT MANUELA MANETTA

11/7 8/11 11/7 11/7

For the other results click here:

Tournament Report...

Mark Bailey reporting from Dublin...

The story of Tania's Irish Open tournament started on the Saturday before, when she realised she had a chest infection. She quickly got some anti-biotics and hoped she would be better by the Wednesday when she was due to play.

She was feeling a lot better by the time she was due to play so she went on court in the first round and managed to beat Manuela without ever being too physically tested as both players were going for some quick winners.

Tania was still feeling ok before going on court with Sarah and she was in fine form as she took a 7-3 lead in the first game. But then it struck! After a very long and physically draining rally Tania seemed to be struggling to get air in. Sarah came back into the game and Tania was struggling to come to terms with her loss of breath.

Tania was unable to play her usual steady eddie game and due to her shortness of breath was having to force it. Her breathing was also getting worse and Kippax seem to extend the rallies as she noticed Tania was struggling.

Tania lost the first and second games despite heroic efforts in the circumstances and she came off after the second game wheezing painfully and unable to get any air in at all. I told her to give up and that she wasn't well but she wouldn't have any of and went back on to finish the match.

She was still struggling with her infected lungs but just went for quick winners that sometimes came off but sometimes didn't. She actually hit some fantastic shots and managed to get a good number of points considered her illness but Kippax was playing a patient game and was doing her best to continue to get the ball back.

Unfortunately the timing of Tanias illness limited her progress. She hasn't had much luck with illnesses during her career! And not even the luck of the Irish could help her here.

She now has a day or so to relax before she is off to Malmo in Sweden to represent England in the European Team championships.

After that she will play for Duffield in the National league final and then have a hip operation the day after...

Tania's update:

"...I was struggling with a chest infection in Ireland and didn't realise how bad I was going to feel until I tried to play.

But I am feeling better now and am looking forward to playing in Sweden..."

Part of Tania's chat with the Peterborough ET before the tournament...

"To be honest my frame of mind is quite strange right now with needing
an operation on my hip in a few weeks time.

They are going to repair the torn cartilage as it is gradually
getting worse and there is no other option. The surgeon and physio
are very positive that the outcome will be good and that I can
resume training and playing fully.

I will know more about the amount of time I will be out once the
operation has been done but I am excited about the end of the year
as there are a lot of big tournaments.

I still feel I have many good years ahead of me. I know I've had a
few setbacks but the best thing is my knee is good and that was my
biggest worry.

I am willing to work really hard to get back playing again. I have
learned a lot about myself and my game and I feel I will be be a
better player for it."

Media

For all the news from the tournament see the squash site...

Results

Final - TAN (5) bt MADELINE PERRY (1)

11/5 11/8 11/4

Semi Final - TAN (5) beat VANESSA ATKINSON (2)

11/2 12/10 11/3

1/4 Final - TAN (5) beat SHELLEY KITCHEN (4)

7/11 11/8 11/7 11/3

Last 16 - TAN (5) beat DONNA URQUHART

9/11 11/6 11/1 11/3

For the other results (when they appear) click here:

Tania's photos...

Wispa Report...

Tania Bailey triumphed in today's final of the NSC Series No5 Squash Championships to bring the five-event series of international Squash events at the Bukit Jalil National Squash Centre in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to a close.

Tania celebrated her first WISPA World Tour title success for almost three years - and the biggest of her career - when she beat Madeline Perry, the top seed from Ireland, in the climax of the women's $25,000 championship.

It was the 29-year-old fifth seed from Lincolnshire's third successive upset in three days, after notable victories over fourth-seeded New Zealander Shelley Kitchen in the quarter-finals and former world champion Vanessa Atkinson, the second seed, in the previous round.

Bailey's triumph comes after an injury-stricken period which included knee surgery last year and necessitated a four-month Tour layoff.

The former world No4, who finished outside the top 20 at the end of last year, can now look forward to a significant rankings boost in next month's WISPA list.

Tania's updates:

After Final...

"...I played well, I was hitting the ball really tight and my length was good. I felt like I was moving well too. Madders made a bit of a comeback in the second and I got a bit edgy but managed to pull through it ok.

It feels so nice to win a tournament! It has been such a long time since I did, I feel proud of myself for what I went through last year and all the hard and painful work I put in. It feels good to see a reward for it

Thanks to all the people who helped me from my family at home, (Mum, Dad, Neil, Mark and Jo) to all the physios in Manchester and all the other support staff who have worked with me. Including Adam Wright who has been doing some psychology with me, England squash and the coaches who have kept supporting me all the time I wasn't playing. I didn't get to make a speech but I really wanted to say thanks..."

After Semi Final...

"...I am really pleased to have won today. I played well, my length was good and I was moving well. I was also taking the ball in short and making vanessa move around the court.

She mixes the pace up and holds the ball well so I had to really watch and keep on my toes. The second game was really tight and vanessa had a game ball so I was really pleased that I focused and won that game.

I look forward to my match with madders tomorrow..."

After 1/4 final...

"...I am pleased to have won, didn't really expect to after last week. Shelley started really strongly and I was just trying to hit hard with her which wasn't working. I started to mix the pace up in the next three games and started to hit my targets better, I was playing straighter too.

I was moving quite well and felt like I could get to most balls. I look forward to my match tomorrow and will see how it goes..."

After round 1...

"...my match was ok, Donna started really well and she was putting me under a lot of pressure in the first. She was hitting the ball really well, I felt like I was a bit slow to start with and my movement wasnt too good.

I felt better in the next three though and my length and width were better and I straightened up and I was getting on to the ball at the front and able to attack better.

I am happy to be through to the next round and look forward to my match with shelley..."

Media

For all the news from the tournament see the squash site...

Results

Semi Final - Vanessa Atkinson (1) bt Tania

11/4 11/1 11/7

1/4 Final - Tania (3) beat Delia Arnold (5)

12/10 11/4 11/4

1st Round - Tania (3) beat Low Wee Wern

11/5 11/1 11/9

For the other results (when they appear) click here:

Tania's photos...

Tania's updates:

After semi final...

"...Vanessa played really well and didnt give me a chance to get in to it..."

After quarter final...

"...My match went ok tonight, the first was tight and I was 10.8 down so I did well to pull it back. My length was a bit short and I was cross courting too much but then it got better in the next 2 games.

I felt I was moving ok and started to control the ball better. I play vanessa tomorrow, which will be tough but I will give it my best and see how it goes..."

After round 1...

"...The first two games were good then I sat back a bit in the third and she started playing better so it got a bit tight. It was nice to get started and get the first match out of the way..."

Media

For all the news from the tournament see the squash site...

Results

1/4 Final - Alison Waters (2) beat Tania (6)

11/9, 5/11, 11/8, 5/11, 11/8 (65m)

1st Round - Tania (6) beat Emma Beddoes

11/7, 11/8, 11/9 (32m)

For the other results (when they appear) click here:

Squashsite Pictures

1/4 Final

Pic 1...

Pic 2...

Pic 3...

Pic 4...

Pic 5...

Round 1

Pic 1...

Pic 2...

Pic 3...

Tania's photos...

Tournament report

Mark Bailey reporting from Manchester...

Tania put in a superb performance in the nationals quarters and almost knocked out the champion. In the end it was a champions performance from her opponent a couple of shocking refereeing decisions and an injury break that combined to end her run this year.

The 3-2 scoreline suggests it was a battle and it certainly was. It was tight all the way and the almost capacity crowd (and the thousands watching live coverage on the internet) were treated to womens squash of the highest order.

It was the sort of game that neither player deserved to lose and while Tania was playing some of her best squash in recent times and hitting some fantastic winners, Alison was matching her with some superb retrieving and disguised winners of her own.

Having had very little training in the lead up to the match Tania would have been hoping to at least take the first game and although it was tight all the way alison managed to nudge it 11-9.

In the second Tania came out all guns blazing and managed to draw level at 1-1. She then lost the third and her supporters thought it was all over. But once again she dug deep and with some excellent squash drew level again.

The fifth and deciding game was tight once more with Tania taking a couple of points lead at 4-2 and then alison going up 8-6. Then at 8-7 an unfortunate combination of events helped decide the match.

The first incident saw Tania strike Alison with her back swing. Very few people in the crowd, if anyone, would have ever seen a ref give anything other than a stroke in this situation. That was until tonight. Tania was shocked by the decision and confusion ensued as Alison took an injury break while Tania had deep discussions with the marker who would not explain his incorrect decision. This cost Tania a vital point at a vital stage of the game and seriously disrupted her focus.

Alison took a while to recover and when they eventually went back on Tania managed to win the point for the second time this time with the marker not forcing her to replay it again this took it to 8-8.

Alison got a lucky nick to take it to 9-8 and then after a long rally Tania asked for a bog standard let which the marker had been giving all night and he said "no let" to everyone's astonishment. So as Tania was still reeling from his last mistake she then took another blow. This one possibly finished her off as it was match ball and Alison went on to win the point and with it the match.

It was a shame that the match was decided in this manner and not by the superb squash that had been on show all night. You can't say that the decisions changed the outcome and Alison may well have gone on to win anyway. It was just disappointing that incorrect decisions had to have such an influence at such a vital time.

Despite the bitter end and disappointment of coming so close, Tania was pleased with her performance and reflected that she enjoyed it and was happy to have pushed a top 5 player all the way.

She will now be hoping for a prolonged period of training ahead of two tournaments in Malaysia where she will be hoping a little luck and some increased fitness might help her get back to winning ways.

Tania's update:

After quarter final...

"...I am extremerly disappointed to lose as it was so close but really happy with my performance, I really enjoyed being on the main court and the atmosphere was great.

I feel I am improving with every match and I look forward to having some time now to do some training and technical work before I go to Malaysia on the 14th March..."

After round 1...

"...I feel like I played well tonight, I didn't feel my hip at all which I was really pleased about as I didn't really know how it was going to be. Emma played well and it was a tough match, I felt like I was volleying well and moving well.

I was 6.1 up in the third and then relaxed a bit and Emma went 9.7 up, then I re-focused and managed to finish it 11.9, I am pleased to get through, Emma was one of the tougher draws I could have got, I am really looking forward to getting on the glass court on Friday and will see how it goes against Al..."

Media

For all the news from the tournament see the squash site...

Results

1/4 Final - Rachel Grinham (1) beat Tania

11/5 11/5 11/8

1st Round - Tania beat Madeline Perry (6)

11/3 7/11 11/4 11/3

For the other results (when they appear) click here:

Tans Pics from Ohio...

Tania's update:

After 1/4 Final...

"...I hurt my leg at the end of my 1st round match and I saw the massage guy before I played against Rachel and he said I had strained my hip flexor. It was quite sore when I woke up in the morning.

During the match I managed not to make it any worse as I didn't stretch myself and I used my other leg to lunge on most of the time. With a bit of rest and treatment it should be fine for the nationals..."

After round 1...

"...I won 3.1. I was pleased with the way I played and I felt good on court. I was moving well and felt strong. I am looking forward to my match tomorrow..."

For all the news from the tournament (when it appears) see the squashsite...

Squashtalk updates...

Tania next tournament is the National Championships in Manchester starting on the 11th of Feb...

Results

1/4 Final - Tania lost to Laura Lengthorn (3)

12/10, 6/11, 7/11, 11/9, 3/11

1st Round - Tania beat Jaclyn Hawkes (5)

11/7, 11/8, 11/6

For the other results (when they appear) click here:

Tans Pics from Greenwich...

Tournament Report

Tania was back in action for the first time this year as she flew to New York to take part in the Greenwich Open. Due to her recent knee injury she has slipped down the rankings and was therefore unseeded for the tournament.

This did not phase her in the first round as she took out the fifth seed Jaclyn Hawkes in straight games. Tania was tested by Jaclyns determination but was able to pull through by moving sharply and controlling her shots well.

In the second round she faced a sterner test in the shape of compatriot and world no.8 Laura Lengthorn who is now 10 places above Tania in the rankings. Despite this it was a very close encounter and Tania pushed Laura all way before going down 3-2 in an hour and 10 minutes.

It was a great game that was tight all the way and despite losing Tania was pleased to have had two tough matches in the tournament and come through them strongly.

Tania's update:

After 1/4 Final...

"...I played well in patches, Laura is playing well at the moment so I can't be too dissappointed. I just feel like I still have a lot of work to do and its frustrating that my fitness is still a long way off what it was.

The way i like to play takes a lot out of you physically so I feel I have to step back a bit and can't get on to the ball and attack as much as I would like. I seem to play well then I have to sit back for a bit. I am still happy to be playing again though and for my knee to be holding up.

In the fifth I had nothing left in my legs and lost it pretty easily.The match was quite long though so it is pleasing to see that my knee can handle a couple of hard matches."

After round 1...

"...It was a hard game, Jackie gets a lot of balls back and is really determined and always gives 100% effort so I had to play well to win. I was really pleased with the way I played. I felt like I was moving quite well and controlling the ball well.

I am pleased to get through. It will be another step up tomorrow against laura but I will get stuck in and see how it goes..."

For all the news from the tournament (when/if it appears) see the squashsite...

Squashtalk updates...

Tania will now stay in North America and compete in the Burning River Classic in Ohio in 2 weeks time.