Squash: Owens takes golfer's tip to block out English challenge

8.30am

MANCHESTER - Carol Owens took a tip from golfer Michael Campbell to beat England's Cassie Jackman in the women's squash singles semifinals at the Manchester Commonwealth Games Tuesday night.

New Zealand's Owens, who won a bronze medal for Australia at the last Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, had to battle a parochial crowd barracking for Jackman who was wearing a Union Jack bandana around her head.

"Someone in the New Zealand team told me the other day that Michael Campbell tries to focus by thinking when he hears the crowd roar that it is for him," Owens told NZPA.

"I thought that was a good motto and I used that today. So I thank Michael Campbell for that."

After a tentative start, losing the first game, Owens found a better length in the second game and eventually prevailed 3-9 9-5 9-1 9-5 in 59 minutes. By managing to avoid a final game, the world No 2 managed to keep something in her tank to face No 1 Sara FitzGerald in tomorrow's final.

Owens said the conditions playing at the Commonwealth Games were much different from a normal tournament.

"There's a lot of pressure out there and lots going on around the court. I had to tell myself to keep focusing on every point," she said.

"I think I was just tactically better than she was today. She was hitting the ball really well and was probably the best she's played against me for quite a while."

At Kuala Lumpur Owens picked up her medal in the women's doubles but lost to Jackman in the quarterfinals, so Owens had the satisfaction of turning the tables on her today.

It was after Kuala Lumpur that Owens decided to part company with Australian squash and seek New Zealand representation.

She felt at the time that she was not getting enough support from Squash Australia between major championships and she found that support while training and competing in New Zealand.

But she said playing an Australian in tomorrow's final would not give the match any edge.

"I don't really think of it any more. I'm playing for New Zealand and am happy playing for New Zealand. That's all there is to it."

Owens has beaten Fitz-Gerald only once in previous encounters but is not overwhelmed at the prospect of meeting her in the final.

"I've just got to go out there and concentrate and keep her on court for as long as I can. I've got nothing to lose really. She wants it too badly and I guess I do as well -- whoever plays well on the day will win."

Womens Singles:

Semi-finals: CAROL OWENS (NZL) bt Cassie Jackman (Eng) 3-9 9-5 9-1 9-5

Sarah Fitz-Gerald (Aus) bt Rachel Grinham (Aus) 9-2, 9-2, 9-6

- NZPA

Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/manchester2002

Medal table

Commonwealth Games info and related links