Ricketts & Grinham Win Australian Open Titles

Anthony Ricketts and Rachael Grinham are the new Australian Open champions after winning the 2006 titles at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre in Melbourne.

Ricketts needed just three straight games to overcome compatriot David Palmer in the men's final at the venue which will host the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

Renowned for his aggressive and uncompromising style of play, the popular Australian overcame Paul Price, Craig Rowland and Stewart Boswell before defeating world No4 Palmer 11-9 11-8 11-9 in a thrilling 48-minute final.

Ricketts, whose career appeared to hang in the balance in 2004 after an absence of six months from the PSA Tour to undergo surgery to repair tissue damage to his right knee, enjoyed a sensational 2005 - winning the British Open in England; the prestigious Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Terminal in New York, USA; and rising to a career high No3 in the Men's World Rankings.

"2005 has been a fantastic year for me and this is the perfect way to start the New Year," said Ricketts.

"My earlier wins, particularly against Stewart Boswell in the semi-finals, gave me a lot of confidence for my match against David and I'm really pleased with the way that I played in the final. The Australian Open is a very important title for all Australians and it's great to get my name on the trophy again," added the 26-year-old from Sydney who first won Australia's most prized trophy in 2000.

Ricketts will now join the Australian team for the World Doubles Championships where he will team up with Stewart Boswell in the Men's Doubles competition.

In the women's final, former World No1 Rachael Grinham defeated compatriot and second seed Amelia Pittock 9-3 9-7 9-1 to win her first Australian Open title.