Lisa Opie
|
|
Lisa Opie was an English squash player of 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. She was born on 3rd January 1963.
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 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 lost twice against the New Zealand squash legend Susan 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 Vicky 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 compatriate Sue Wright 6-9 9-3 9-3 9-4. That same year she finished second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, with the athlete Liz 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 to Susan Devoy 9-4, 9-5, 10-8)
- 1987: runner-up (lost to Susan Devoy 9-3, 10-8, 9-2)
- 1990: Q/F
British Open Results
- 1982: runner-up (lost to Vicky Cardwell)
- 1983: runner-up (lost to Vicky Cardwell)
- 1984: runner-up (lost to Susan Devoy 5-9 9-0 9-7 9-1)
- 1986: runner-up (lost to Susan Devoy 9-4 9-2 9-3)
- 1991: Won (beat Sue Wright 6-9 9-3 9-3 9-4)