Evans and Joyce win Historic British Open Titles

10.14.00 Birmingham, SRA

From Howard Harding. October 15 2000
EVANS & JOYCE WIN HISTORIC BRITISH OPEN TITLES The most remarkable British Open Squash Championships in living memory, in which a qualifier competed in the women's final and two players not expected to reach the last eight contested the men's final, came to a climax at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham today (Sunday) with New Zealand's Leilani Joyce successfully defending the women's title and David Evans becoming the first Welshman to lift the men's crown.

Evans, the tenth seed from Pontypool in Wales was always in control in his first appearance in a British Open final, beating Australia's 14th seed Paul Price 15-11 15-6 15-10 in 54 minutes while cheered on by a near-packed crowd at the NIA.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," said the new Open champion afterwards. "It says a lot for the health of men's squash that anybody in the world top twenty is capable of winning a title like this on their day," said the 25-year-old world No11.

Price, 24, from Melbourne, was the second successive Australian to be overcome by the Welsh wizard - who credits his coach Chris Robertson, the Wales-based former world No2 from Australia, for the success he is currently achieving.

"But if you're asking if I feel sorry that Dave beat an Aussie in the final, the answer is no," said Robertson at the post-match press conference. Evans, who left the NIA with a party of supporters - including Paul Price - to celebrate his success, will be back in Birmingham on Tuesday to play his first match as British Open champion in the SRA National League at the Edgbaston Priory club.

Title-holder Leilani Joyce, the world No2 from Hamilton in New Zealand, secured her second British Open title without conceding a game throughout the tournament - but was extended more than in any earlier round by England's former world No3 Sue Wright, before gaining her 9-7 9-4 9-2 victory in 39 minutes.

Aylesbury-based Wright, 30, also a runner-up in 1991, reached the final as a qualifier, having dropped to 31 in the world rankings after suffering from viral pneumonia. "Sue played really well, particularly having had at least two extra matches through qualifying, and she probably has the best short game in the world," said the champion. "I had to make sure I kept her at the back of the court to win."

Wright confessed that she was not disappointed, but had had a "fantastic week". "It was beyond my wildest dreams to be in this year's British Open final, but I hope I can now look forward to November's world team championships in Sheffield, where I can complete my set of team gold medals after winning home and European internationals," said the 30-year-old.

Issued by British Open Press Officer Howard Harding Email: HowHard@aol.com SRA 15 October 2000

Men's Main Draw

Women's Main Draw

Final Men's qualifying results

Final Women's qualifying results

RESULTS: British Open Squash Championships, NIA, Birmingham

Men's final:
[10] David Evans (WAL) bt [14] Paul Price (AUS) 15-11 15-6 15-10

Women's final:
[2] Leilani Joyce (NZL) bt [Q] Sue Wright (ENG) 9-7 9-4 9-2

• Golestan Radwan: Egypt
• Tomas Barva, Czech Republic
• David Blick, Alaska USA
• Kim Tunney: Midwest USA
• Andre Maur: Atlanta USA
• Paul Ansdell: Massachusetts USA
  

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