- Lisa Opie
Lisa Opie OBE (born on [15th August]
1963 ) is a retired English 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 in1991 , and until the rise ofCassie Campion she was England's number 1 player.Born and raised in
Guernsey , she was coached in her early years in the game byReg Harbour . [> [http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2008/02/02/martine-lisa-just-too-close-to-be-split/ Martine, Lisa just too close to be split] , "The Guernsey Press and Star", 2 February 2008]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 final but lost toRhonda Thorne 9-2, 9-0, 9-4. This was to be the first in a series of near-misses for Lisa, as she lost twice against theNew Zealand squash legendSusan Devoy - in 1985 (9-4, 9-5, 10-) and 1987 (9-3, 10-8, 9-2). She would not reach the World Open final again.The British Open also provided much heartbreak. In 1982 and 1983 she lost against
Vicki Cardwell , and then 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 compatriotSue Wright 6-9 9-3 9-3 9-4. That same year she finished second in theBBC Sports Personality of the Year award, with the athleteLiz McColgan coming first.One of Lisa's finest moments off-court came when she was awarded the OBE for services to squash.
World Open Results
* 1981: runner-up (lost to
Rhonda Thorne 9-2, 9-0, 9-4)
* 1985: runner-up (lost toSusan Devoy 9-4, 9-5, 10-8)
* 1987: runner-up (lost toSusan Devoy 9-3, 10-8, 9-2)
* 1990: Q/FBritish Open Results
* 1982: runner-up (lost to
Vicki Cardwell )
* 1983: runner-up (lost toVicki Cardwell )
* 1984: runner-up (lost toSusan Devoy 5-9 9-0 9-7 9-1)
* 1986: runner-up (lost toSusan Devoy 9-4 9-2 9-3)
* 1991: Won (beatSue Wright 6-9 9-3 9-3 9-4)References
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