KARACHI, Nov 9: Lee Beachill and Natalie Grinham were each stretched for more than an hour in the finals of the US Open squash championships before ultimately lifting the trophies at Harvard University in Boston.

According to the details made available on Wednesday, the third-seeded Englishman defeated Australian David Palmer 3-2 in the final that lasted 84 minutes. He won the all-important match against the second seed Australian with the scores 11-7,9-11,8-11,11-1,11-8.

Top seed Grinham became the first Australian winner of the women’s crown since Michelle Martin in 1998 after winning final against English girl Vicky Botwright 3-1 in a 61 minute epic battle.

She won her first WISPA title since winning the Queensland Open in August last year.

After dropping the second game 9-10, Grinham did not look back and found rhythm to win the next two games 9-3, 9-4 to secure trophy.

Earlier, she won the first game 9-7 after edging out her rival by holding long rallies. The final score was 9-7, 9-10 9-3, 9-4.

Men’s final: Lee Beachill (ENG) bt David Palmer (AUS) 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-8 (84m) Women’s Final: Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt Vicky Botwright (ENG) 9-7, 9-10 9-3, 9-4 (61m).—PPI