The Greenwich Open brings Fitz-Gerald's total World Tour Titles to over thirty, more than any other current player. More astonishingly, after eight (8) months of enforced absence from the World Tour during which time she has endured two operations to repair cartilage damage to her left knee, her Greenwich Open success came only one week after winning the Glidden Open.

Fitz-Gerald was required to qualify for both championships, and her unbeaten run in 2000 now stands at ten (10) matches.

In the Greenwich Open qualification, Fitz-Gerald out-powered one of the games most exciting new players, Shelley Kitchen, from New Zealand and proceeded to the main draw after conceding only two (2) points, winning 9/0, 9/1, 9/1.

Her first round opponent, world number twenty four (24) Kim Keevil from Australia was dismissed for the loss of six (6) points - 9/1, 9/3, 9/2.

In the quarter finals, Fitz-Gerald overcame spirited opposition from determined World number twenty nine (29), Vicky Botwright, and progressed to the semi-finals for the loss of only twelve (12) points, winning 9/5, 9/3, 9/4.

In the semi-finals, Fitz-Gerald outplayed number one seed and world number four (4) Natalie Grainger to record her most significant victory since her return to competitive play, and in the process, removed any doubts about her readiness to compete once again for the top women's position in the world.

Taking the pace to her opponent, the over confident Grainger was unable to break down Fitz-Gerald's rhythm and momentum, and superior length and accuracy secured her three games to one victory (9/4, 3/9, 9/3, 9/7).

A spirited performance from World number six (6) Suzanne Horner in the final, captivated a sell-out crowd but only served to demonstrate the huge progress that the former world number one has made. Fitz-Gerald, who in 1999 was unable to defend her three consecutive World Championship wins, remains determined to re-establish her prominence in the women's game, and her 9/6, 9/0, 4/9, 9/7 victory showed that her fitness is reaching new levels

"Consecutive Greenwich Open and Glidden Open wins have given me a major confident boost so early in my long-term preparation to retaining the World Championship later in 2000. My coach and I recognise that there are still areas of my game that I can improve, but I am confident for the future" commented Fitz-Gerald.

Fitz-Gerald will next compete in the Rosebowl Classic, Thame, England (1st to 5th February).

Sarah Fitz-Gerald, is a thirty-one year old professional women's squash rackets player from Melbourne, Australia. Sarah is the winner of over 30 WISPA (Women's International Squash Professionals Association) titles over a period of 10 years, and is also the 3-time women's world champion. Sarah held the #1 ranking position from 1996 through early 1999 but she underwent knee surgery in May, 1999 following withdrawal from the WISPA Grand Prix Finals last May. She began competition again at the 1999 British Open Championships in mid December, reaching the second round and in her next tournament, won the WISPA Germain Glidden Open in Southport Connecticut on January 17, 2000. Sarah Fitz-Gerald, also the current president of WISPA, resides in Melbourne, Australia. Her principal tour sponsors are Dunlop Squash and Hi-Tec.