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Squash: Bailey's Irish Cream would go down well
DUBLIN could be the place for some Bailey's Irish Cream this week as Stamford ace Tania Bailey looks to build on her impressive victory in Malaysia last month.
DUBLIN could be the place for some Bailey's Irish Cream this week as Stamford ace Tania Bailey looks to build on her impressive victory in Malaysia last month.Bailey is seeded eighth for the Cannon Kirk Homes Irish Open, which will be one of her last tournaments before undergoing a hip operation early next month.
She will play in Dublin, then represent England at the European Championships in Sweden next week and the National League final for Duffield on May 5 before having an operation a day later.
She begins against qualifier Manuela Manetta of Italy today in Dublin, hoping to build on her impressive display last month when she defeated top seed Madeline Perry of Ireland in the final.
Bailey has returned to good form following a knee operation that kept her out for most of last year and she'll be looking to impress in Dublin – although she admits her forthcoming operation is on her mind.
She admitted: "To be honest my frame of mind is quite strange right now with needing an operation on my hip in a few weeks time.
"They are going to repair the torn cartilage as it is gradually getting worse and there is no other option. The surgeon and physio are very positive that the outcome will be good and that I can resume training and playing fully.
"I will know more about the amount of time I will be out once the operation has been done but I am excited about the end of the year as there are a lot of big tournaments.
"I still feel I have many good years ahead of me. I know I've had a few setbacks but the best thing is my knee is good and that was my biggest worry.
"I am willing to work really hard to get back playing again. I have learned a lot about myself and my game and I feel I will be be a better player for it."
The operation comes at a time when Bailey is getting back to her best, her victory in the NSC Series in Kuala Lumpur last month being the biggest of her career.
She added: "I felt really good after Malaysia and it was great to prove to myself that I can play at the top level again. It has also given me the hunger to win more events.
"I am going to do my best in Ireland and over the next few weeks. I am going to take each day as it comes and try to enjoy it as much as possible then I will have the operation and I will look forward to getting back on court again."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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