Squash: King leaps up rankings

Waikato squash player Joelle King has had a major boost ahead of what could be a career-defining tournament at this week's New Zealand Women's Open at Mt Maunganui.

The 20-year-old has seen her world ranking jump 14 spots to No 39 ahead of the championships, where she will attempt to qualify for her first WISPA Gold Star main draw event.

King, sister of former All Black Regan who now plays in Wales, enjoyed a golden spell of form across the Tasman last month.

She won the New South Wales and Victorian Open events before conquering the Australian Open. This was a major breakthrough for the young New Zealander as she beat world No 12 Kasey Brown (Australia) and No 14 Annie Au (Hong Kong) on the way to victory at Clare near Adelaide.

King has put in some serious hard work in the last six months.

"I have always had the game," King said. "But it's not much use having the game if you can't get to the ball.

"I decided that I had to put in some really hard work off the court. I am working with Leilani's [Rorani] former personal trainer and everyone can see the results. I am leaner and fitter and it is making all the difference."

The icing on the cake was her three tournament wins in Australia.

"It has shown me that this is what I needed to do. So this year I am going to venture on to the world circuit and see how I can perform."

The big chance comes with the return of the New Zealand Open to home shores after nearly two decades.

King must win two knockout matches tomorrow and Wednesday to secure a spot in the main draw starting on Thursday.

She meets national junior representative Lana Harrison (Auckland) in her first qualifying match with a second round duel against the winner of the clash between Kapiti's Emma Millar, another member of the New Zealand junior team, and Australian Donna Urquhart to earn a place in the main draw for the $82,000 event.

- NZPA