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Joyce and Fitz-Gerald rejoin rivalry.
by Howard Harding Oct 18, 2001 © 2001 Squashtalk
[last update wa s 18-oct-01 ]

2001 SquashTalk coverage will feature regular updates from squash journalist Elspeth Burnside.

Womens World Draw

Womens World Semis

SARAH FITZ-GERALD SINGLEMINDEDLY POWERS FORWARD TOWARDS TITLE #4

New Zealand's top seed Leilani Joyce and Australia's world No1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald will meet in the final of the Women's World Open Squash Championship in Fitz-Gerald's hometown Melbourne after both secured comfortable straight games victories in today's (Thursday) semi-finals at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in Australia.

Despite winning 15 WISPA World Tour titles since her comeback from double knee surgery in 1999 - including her first British Open trophy four months ago - Fitz-Gerald has been single-mindedly focussed on a world title victory in her hometown since Melbourne announced its successful bid to host the event three years ago. In an all-Melbourne semi-final clash, 32-year-old Fitz-Gerald beat defending champion Carol Owens 9-1 9-1 9-5 in 36 minutes to reach her fifth World Open final, and avenge last year's semi-final loss to her great rival.

Sarah appeared confident and relaxed during the match - and looks in a strong position to take her fourth World Open title to equal the record of Susan Devoy of New Zealand.

"I thought I would win 3/0 but didn't expect the first couple of games to be so easy," said the third seed. "I found my rhythm straight away. When I broke a couple of strings in the third it did my head in for a short while, but I refocused and got away again."

Owens, who has not won a title since claiming the world trophy for the first time a year ago in Scotland, responded: "I tried to get in short behind the ball but Sarah was dominating. Sarah's error rate is low, there was not much I could do. I am pretty sure she will win the tile," said the 30-year-old who has 'defected' from Australia to represent New Zealand, her country of residence for the past two years.

The other semi-final was a longer affair, with favourite Leilani Joyce needing 52 minutes to quash 4th seed Linda Charman-Smith, appearing in her first world open semi-final, 9-3 9-5 10-8. The Melbourne event marks the English player's return to competitive action since sustaining a calf injury four months ago. The final will mark Joyce and Fitz-Gerald's sixth meeting this year - of which four were finals and only one (the Hong Kong Open semi-finals in September) a victory for the New Zealander.

"I will sit down with my coach (Rob Wyatt) tonight to work out a strategy," said Joyce. "I've no illusions that Sarah is in great form and wants to win the Worlds."

Fitz-Gerald's current form is unquestionable: She has dropped just 26 points in four matches so far in the event - and has failed to lose a WISPA final since October 1998.

RESULTS: Women's World Open Squash Championship, Melbourne, Australia Semi-finals:
[1] Leilani Joyce (NZL) bt [4] Linda Charman-Smith (ENG) 9-3 9-5 10-8 (52m)
[3] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) bt [2] Carol Owens (NZL) 9-1 9-1 9-5 (36m)