(updated 11-jul-10 21:55 )

Annie Au Wins Port Marly Prize

The top two seeds battled for almost an hour in the final of the Des Pyramides Open in France before favourite Annie Au emerged triumphant in the $17,250 WISPA World Tour squash event at Squash Pyramides in Le Port Marly, near Paris.

Au, the world No16 from Hong Kong, reached the tenth Tour final of her career after beating England's fourth seed Emma Beddoes - while Dominique Lloyd-Walter, the second seed from England, ended the courageous run of South African qualifier Tenille Swartz in the other semi.

Left-hander Au was calm throughout the final - her fast and attacking game ultimately proving decisive against her more experienced 29-year-old English opponent.

Lloyd-Walter drew level after losing the first game, but 21-year-old Au struck back to win the next two to record her title-winning 11-6, 10-12, 11-7, 11-2 triumph.

The win sees Au increase her career WISPA Tour title tally to seven - but it also marked Lloyd-Walter's first ever defeat in a Tour final since reaching her first in May 2004.

RESULTS: Des Pyramides Open, Le Port Marly, Paris, France
Semi-finals:
[1] Annie Au (HKG) bt [4] Emma Beddoes (ENG) 11-7, 11-9, 13-11 (51m)
[2] Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) bt [Q] Tenille Swartz (RSA) 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 (43m)
Final:
[1] Annie Au (HKG) bt [2] Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) 11-6, 10-12, 11-7, 11-2 (52m)