Lisa Opie

Last updated

Lisa Opie
MBE
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
ResidenceEngland
Born (1963-08-15) 15 August 1963 (age 60)
Turned Pro1984
Retired1995
PlaysRight Handed
Women's singles
Highest rankingNo. 1 (March 1988)
Medal record
Women's squash
Representing Flag of England.svg  England
World Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1985 Dublin Singles
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1987 Auckland Singles
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1981 Toronto Singles
Last updated: 3 March 2010.

Lisa Jane 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 successes were winning the British Open in 1991 and four consecutive World Team Championships from 1985 to 1990. Until the rise of Cassie Campion she was England's number 1 player.

Contents

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 appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to squash in the 1995 New Year Honours. [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 runners-up)

OutcomeYearLocationOpponent in the finalScore in the final
Runner-up 1985 Women's World Open Squash Championship Dublin, Ireland Flag of New Zealand.svg Susan Devoy 9–4, 9–5, 10–8
Runner-up 1987 Women's World Open Squash Championship Auckland, New Zealand Flag of New Zealand.svg Susan Devoy 9–3, 10–8, 9–2

British Open

Finals: 5 (1 title, 4 runners-up)

OutcomeYearLocationOpponent in the finalScore in the final
Runner-up 1982 Women's British Open Squash Championship Bromley, England Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vicki Cardwell 9–4, 5–9, 9–4, 9–4
Runner-up 1983 Women's British Open Squash Championship Derby, England Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vicki Cardwell 9–10, 9–6, 9–4, 9–5
Runner-up 1984 Women's British Open Squash Championship Wembley, England Flag of New Zealand.svg Susan Devoy 5–9, 9–0, 9–7, 9–1
Runner-up 1986 Women's British Open Squash Championship Wembley, England Flag of New Zealand.svg Susan Devoy 9–4, 9–2, 9–3
Winner 1991 Women's British Open Squash Championship London, England Flag of England.svg Sue Wright 6–9, 9–3, 9–3, 9–4

World Team Championships

Finals: 6 (4 titles, 2 runner-up)

OutcomeYearLocationOpponent in the finalScore in the final
Winner 1985 Women's World Team Squash Championships Dublin, Ireland Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand2–1
Winner 1987 Women's World Team Squash Championships Auckland, New Zealand Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia2–1
Winner 1989 Women's World Team Squash Championships Warmond, Netherlands Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia3–0
Winner 1990 Women's World Team Squash Championships Sydney Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia2–1
Runner-up 1981 Women's World Team Squash Championships Toronto, Canada Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia2–1
Runner-up 1983 Women's World Team Squash Championships Perth, Australia Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia2–1

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The 1983 Town and Country Building Society Women's World Open Squash Championship was the women's edition of the 1983 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Perth in Australia during October 1983. Vicki Cardwell won the World Open title, defeating Rhonda Thorne in the final.

The 1985 Women's 7-Up World Open Squash Championship was the women's edition of the 1985 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Dublin in Ireland during August 1985. Susan Devoy won the World Open title, defeating Lisa Opie in the final.

The 1987 Women's Honda World Open Squash Championship was the women's edition of the 1987 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place at the Henderson Squash Club and YMCA Stadium in Auckland in New Zealand between September 29 and October 6, 1987. Susan Devoy won her second World Open title, defeating Lisa Opie in a repeat of the 1985 final.

The 1989 Women's NCM World Open Squash Championship was the women's edition of the 1989 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Warmond in the Netherlands between 5 March and 19 March 1989. Martine Le Moignan won the World Open title, defeating Susan Devoy in the final.

The 1990 Mazda Women's World Open Squash Championship was the women's edition of the 1990 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The early stages of the event took place at the Thornleigh Squash Centre with the quarter-finals onwards being held at the Homebush Sports Centre in Sydney, Australia between 7 October and 14 October 1990. Susan Devoy won her third World Open title, defeating Martine Le Moignan in the final.

The 1984 Hi-Tec Women's British Open Squash Championships was held at the Wembley Squash Centre in London from 4–10 April 1984. Susan Devoy won her first title defeating Lisa Opie in the final.

The 1986 Hi-Tec Women's British Open Squash Championships was held at East Grinstead and the Wembley Squash Centre in London from 14–22 April 1986. Susan Devoy won her third consecutive title defeating Lisa Opie in the final.

The 1989 Hi-Tec Women's British Open Squash Championships was held at East Grinstead and the Wembley Squash Centre in London from 12–17 April 1989. Susan Devoy won her sixth consecutive title defeating Martine Le Moignan in the final.

The 1987 Women's Davies & Tate British Open Squash Championships was held at the South Bank Squash Club, Wandsworth with the later stages being held at the Wembley Conference Centre in London from 7–14 April 1987. The event was won for the fourth consecutive year by Susan Devoy who defeated Martine Le Moignan in the final.

The 1990 Hi-Tec British Open Squash Championships was held at the lambs Squash Club with the later stages being held at Wembley in London from 16–23 April 1990. The event was won for the seventh consecutive year by Susan Devoy who defeated Suzanne Horner in the final.

The 1991 Hi-Tec British Open Squash Championships was held at the Lambs Squash Club with the later stages being held at the Wembley Conference Centre in London from 15–22 April 1991. The event was won by Lisa Opie who defeated Sue Wright in the final.

The 1992 Hi-Tec British Open Squash Championships was held at the Lambs Squash Club with the later stages being held at the Wembley Conference Centre in London from 7–13 April 1992. The event was won by Susan Devoy who defeated Martine Le Moignan in the final.

References

  1. Batiste, Rob (2 February 2008). "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 . Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  3. United Kingdom list: "No. 53893". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 30 December 1994. p. 23.
  4. "Guernsey Sport Commission Website". Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  5. "Past winners of the SJA British Sports Awards – Sports Journalists' Association".
Sporting positions
Preceded by World No. 1
March 1988 – April 1988
Succeeded by