Squash: Aussie victory to Joyce

SYDNEY - New Zealander Leilani Joyce added another major squash trophy to her cabinet by beating Australia's Carol Owens in straight sets in the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday.

After winning a tight first set, top-seeded Joyce never let No 2 seed Owens into the match, playing a disciplined style that saw her take control to win 9-7 9-5 9-3.

It is the third title for Joyce in the space of about a month after she won the Al Ahram and Heliopolis Open tournaments in Egypt. New Zealand-based Owen was the runner-up in both of those tournaments as well.

Joyce said she sensed Owens was determined to turn around the result of their recent matches, particularly when the Australian raced to a 6-1 lead in the opening set.

"Carol really wanted to win today. She got away on me before I knew it and I had to try to knuckle down to try and get into any sort of dominating position," Joyce said.

"I was glad to get through that first one and after that my shots and options worked out well, I was able to play more of my own game.

"I was really happy with how I played in the end. I could feel some good form building as the tournament went on."

- NZPA