Vanessa Atkinson

Vanessa Atkinson

Vanessa Atkinson during 2009 Women's World Open
Full name Vanessa Louise Atkinson
Country  Netherlands
Residence Leeds, England
Born (1976-03-10) 10 March 1976
Newcastle, England
Turned Pro 1995
Retired 2011
Plays Right Handed
Coached by Liz Irving
Racquet used Karakal
Women's singles
Highest ranking No. 1 (December, 2005)
World Open W (2004)
Last updated on: 7 January 2010.

Vanessa Louise Atkinson (born 10 March 1976 in Newcastle, England) is a former professional squash player from the Netherlands, who won the World Open in 2004 and reached the World No. 1 ranking in December 2005.

Atkinson was born in England, but her family moved to the Netherlands when she was still a child. She began playing squash as a youngster in Dordrecht. She now resides in Harrogate, Yorkshire, with her partner James Willstrop, himself a professional squash player.[1]

Atkinson's biggest win came in 2004 when she won the World Open title in Kuala Lumpur by defeating fellow compatriote Natalie Grinham (at that time still representing Australia) with a score of 9–1, 9–1, 9–5 in the final.[2] Atkinson also has won major tournaments in Qatar, New York, Monte Carlo, Malaysia and Ireland.

Atkinson retired from professional play in May 2011.

World Open

Finals: 1 (1 title, 0 runner-up)

Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner 2004 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Australia Natalie Grinham 9–1, 9–1, 9–5

Major World Series final appearances

Qatar Classic: 2 finals (2 titles, 0 runner-up)

Outcome Year Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner 2004 Australia Rachael Grinham 9-4, 9-7, 9-6
Winner 2005 England Vicky Botwright 9-7, 9-4, 9-2

Malaysian Open: 2 finals (0 title, 2 runner-up)

Outcome Year Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner 2004 Malaysia Nicol David
Runner-up 2005 Malaysia Nicol David 3-9, 9-3, 1-9, 9-1, 9-4

See also

References

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Rachael Grinham
Nicol David
World No. 1
December 2005
April 2006 July 2006
Succeeded by
Nicol David
Nicol David
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
WISPA Player of the Year
2004
Succeeded by
Nicol David
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