Squash: Joyce smiling despite missing hat-trick

By JULIE ASH

Despite losing her British Open crown, Leilani Joyce is confident her game is on track.

Seeking her third consecutive British Open title, the world No 1 from Waikato lost to Australia's Sarah Fitz-Gerald in the semifinals at Birmingham yesterday.

Fitz-Gerald came back from two games down to win 8-10, 3-9, 9-2, 9-6, 9-7.

"It was always going to be a tough match, and someone had to come off second best," Joyce said.

"It was unfortunate not to have won three in a row, but I'm happy with the way I played."

World No 3 Fitz-Gerald will meet New Zealand-based Australian Carol Owens in the final. She has won three world championships and has been unbeaten since losing to Owens in the world event in November.

"Sarah and I are good mates off the court, but when we get on court it is all business," Joyce said. "Having someone like Sarah around keeps me motivated and helps me to improve my game."

Although disappointed to have lost the title, Joyce said she was happy with many aspects of her game, and was looking forward to upcoming events, most notably the Hong Kong Open and World Open.

"I'm surprised at how I feel. A lot of people expect me to feel gutted, but I'm happy with the way I played.

"You know you are going to lose sooner or later. This is not the first time I have lost and it won't be the last. You just have to get over it and move on - there are some big tournaments coming up and I feel I'm on the right track."

She said going into a tournament as the defending champion always posed an extra challenge.

"I went into the British Open confident, knowing that I had won it twice. It was a case of anything else being an encore.

"It is very stimulating to know that so many people want to beat you, and you have to imagine what it is like playing against the No 1 in the world, it does your head in."

Joyce's next event will be the Hong Kong Open next month.