Melbourne 2001
Reports
USA Team Reports

Men's World Team
Teams
Playoff Draw/Results
Pool Draw/Results
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Last 16
Quarter-finals
Semis
Finals

Women's Worlds
Draw/Results
Qualifiers - I
Qualifiers - II
Qualifiers-III
Day One
Day Two
Quarters - I
Quarters - II
Semis
Final

WSF World Challenge
Draw/Results
Day One
Day Two
Round Two
Round Three
Quarter-finals
Semis
Final

World Masters
Draws/Results

Fitz-Gerald, Owens, Joyce in Melbourne
by Howard Harding Oct 13, 2001 © 2001 Squashtalk
[last update was 13-oct-01 ]

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

Women's World 2001 Draw

WORLD CHAMPION RETURNS HOME TO DEFEND TITLE AS A FOREIGNER
World champion Carol Owens begins the defence of her title in the Women's World Open Squash Championship in her hometown of Melbourne this Sunday as a foreigner. The 30-year-old world No3, who claimed the prestigious trophy for the first time in Scotland last year as an Australian, this week confirmed that she will in future represent New Zealand, her country of residence for the past three years. Owens is the No2 seed in the WISPA World Tour event which reaches its final at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre next Friday (19th October).

She opens her defence against a qualifier, and is expected to meet her great rival and now former compatriot Sarah Fitz-Gerald in the semi-finals. Third seed Fitz-Gerald, also born and raised in Melbourne, this month reclaimed the world No1 ranking following a lengthy return to the top of the sport after two operations on her left knee. Winner of the world title for three successive years from 1996,

Fitz-Gerald has secured nine WISPA titles this year, including her first British Open trophy in June, and is now seeking to equal New Zealander Susan Devoy's four-title record in front of a home crowd.

"I've wanted this for three years and think I'm in top form now," said Fitz-Gerald on the eve of the event. "I'm also hoping that my home crowd will pull me through any tight spots. My Mum won four Australian Open titles, and she'll be here to support me too," added Sarah.

Leilani Joyce, the New Zealander who held the world No1 slot for the past year, is top seed - and, like Owens and Fitz-Gerald, faces a qualifier in the opening round, before making a bid for her maiden world title. England's Cassie Campion is the only other former world champion in the field. The 1999 winner was undergoing back surgery during the 2000 event, and is currently climbing back up the world rankings as she fights back to full fitness. Campion faces Ireland's Madeline Perry in the opening round.