SquashTalk>Women's World Open >Womens World semis: Sarah Fitz-Gerald

[last update was 16-nov-00 ]

Semi-Final Report from Sarah Fitz-Gerald

11.16.00 by Sarah Fitz-Gerald

Eye Group Women's World Open Squash Championship, Edinburgh, Scotland

HATS OFF TO CAROL
My semi-final match with Carol Owen is still replaying in my mind. I feel I could have quite easily won the match, and am wishing I did. But I most definitely give congratulations to Carol for her victory.

Carol played tonight exceedingly well, perhaps the best I've ever seen her play. Still I keep thinking I could have won this match -- I am encouraged by my progress back from injury.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LEAD?
Playing Carol Owens today was mentally a tough match, as I wished to turn the tables from my disastrous result from the 3-0 loss at the British Open. I started out well leading 6-3,and felt mentally tough.

Unfortunately, I had fallen into the trap of thinking ahead, and Carol changed the tempo of the game, putting me into trouble throughout the second game also.

I still felt mentally confident, and I was determined not to go down with out a fight. I came back in the third and fourth by playing good, steady squash to equal the score 2-2.

As the fourth game started, I still felt confident, but so did Carol. She fought hard, won some crucial points giving her a lead of 8-4. I was mentally visualizing my comback in Stuttgart two years ago -- II had won from a similar position before (Stuttgart World Open final 8-2 down in 5th to Michelle Martin) and got back to 8-6. After numerous exchanges of serve, Carol won 9/6.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FINAL
I am looking forward to the final -- both players had equally tough matches today so it should be all even tomorrow.

For the latest results go to www.squashtalk.com/womensworld

From my quarterfinal win against Linda Charman
(photo © Fritz Borchert)