Squash: Owens now No 1 in the world

LONDON - New Zealand's Carol Owens has taken over the world No 1 squash title vacated by Australian Sarah Fitz-Gerald, who announced her retirement from the tour last month.

The latest Women's International Squash Players' Association rankings have Owens at the top, following her victory in last week's Tournament of Champions in New York.

Owens, 31, had to fight back from 2-0 down to overcome American Natalie Pohrer in the final at Grand Central Station to claim the world No 1 title.

Owens has competed in more than 120 Wispa events since 1990.

Winner of the World Open title in November 2000, she claimed her 22nd Wispa title last week in her 44th final.

Becoming No 1 completes a long-held dream for Owens, but it will be tinged with a feeling of emptiness.

"One of my major goals was to get on top of Sarah Fitz-Gerald.

"When I heard of her retirement, it was quite disappointing. I knew I wasn't going to get the chance to do that," she said.

"Somebody asked if I could stay there as long as [New Zealand's multiple world and British Open champion] Susan Devoy or Sarah. I think probably not at my age.

"I'm 32 now and taking one tournament at a time. To be world No 1 you have to be consistent and win every event."

Owens' unbeaten start to the year - she won in Kuala Lumpur last month - convinced her she would take some shifting from the No 1 spot.

"It gives me the feeling that maybe I can hold on to it for the next 12 months or so. It depends if my body holds out.

" I've been relatively lucky in my career. I haven't really had too many injuries.

"When I was in New York, people told me I had lost heaps of weight and looked the fittest I ever was.

"I don't know where all that came from. I haven't done anything differently. But if I can psych them out, then that's fine," she laughed.

Owens is to contest the Texas Open this month, and will wait to see how events unfold in the Middle East before committing herself to the Grand Prix final in Doha, Qatar, in late April.

- NZPA