Lisa Opie

This article is about the retired English squash player. For the American beauty pageant holder, see Lisa L. Opie.
Lisa Opie
Country  England
Residence England
Born 15 August 1963
Guernsey Guernsey
Turned Pro 1984
Retired 1995
Plays Right Handed
Women's singles
Highest ranking No. 1 (March 1988)
Last updated on: 3 March 2010.

Lisa Opie MBE (born on 15 August 1963) is a retired British squash player, who was one of the game's leading woman players in the 1980s and early-1990s. Her biggest success was winning the British Open in 1991, and until the rise of Cassie Campion she was England's number 1 player.

Born and raised in Guernsey, she was coached in her early years in the game by Reg Harbour.[1][2] In international competition, she represented England. She was awarded an MBE for services to squash in the 1995 New Year's Honours List.[3][4] In later years she was coached by Gavin Dupre from Jersey. They began working together in Guernsey and Lisa later spent time training with him in Germany where he was based as a professional coach.

Playing career

Lisa won her first tournament in 1979 and quickly established herself as one of the game's best players. She reached the 1981 World Open semi-final but lost to Rhonda Thorne 9-2, 9-0, 9-4. This was to be the first in a series of near-misses for Lisa, as she reached two World Open finals but lost both times to the New Zealand squash legend Susan Devoy – in 1985 (9–4, 9–5, 10–8) and 1987 (9–3, 10–8, 9–2).

The British Open also provided much heartbreak. In 1982 and 1983 she lost in the final against Vicki Cardwell, and then against old foe Devoy again in 1984 (5–9, 9–0, 9–7, 9–1) and 1986 (9–4, 9–2, 9–3). However, she eventually won the British Open in 1991 when she beat compatriot Sue Wright in the final 6–9, 9–3, 9–3, 9–4. This made her the first British woman to win the title for 30 years. That same year she finished second in the Sports Journalists Award, with the athlete Liz McColgan coming first.[5]

World Open

Finals: 2 (0 title, 2 runner-ups)

Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Runner-up 1985 Dublin, Ireland New Zealand Susan Devoy 9–4, 9–5, 10–8
Runner-up 1987 Auckland, New Zealand New Zealand Susan Devoy 9–3, 10–8, 9–2

British Open

Finals: 5 (1 title, 4 runner-ups)

Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Runner-up 1982 Bromley, England Australia Vicki Cardwell 9–4, 5–9, 9–4, 9–4
Runner-up 1983 Derby, England Australia Vicki Cardwell 9–10, 9–6, 9–4, 9–5
Runner-up 1984 Wembley, England New Zealand Susan Devoy 5–9, 9–0, 9–7, 9–1
Runner-up 1986 Wembley, England New Zealand Susan Devoy 9–4, 9–2, 9–3
Winner 1991 London, England England Sue Wright 6–9, 9–3, 9–3, 9–4

References

  1. ↑ Batiste, Rob (2008-02-02). "Martine, Lisa just too close to be split". Guernsey Press and Star. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  2. ↑ Elliott, Keith (14 October 1994). "Keith Elliott at Large: Regeneration now the name of the game on squash island". The Independent. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  3. ↑ "New Year's Honours List". London Gazette. 31 December 1994. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "Guernsey Sport Commission Website". Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  5. ↑ http://www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/sja-sport-awards/past-winners-of-the-sja-sports-awards/

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Michelle Martin		 World No. 1
March 1988 – April 1988 		Succeeded by
Michelle Martin