Squash: Strong start for Joyce

LONDON - New Zealand squash player Leilani Joyce has made an emphatic start to defending her British Open crown, taking just 26 minutes for a straight-sets win.

World No 1 Joyce, aged 27, beat Scottish qualifier Wendy Maitland 9-2, 9-0, 9-0. Maitland is ranked 34th in the world.

After the match, Joyce told commentator Sue Wright - the woman she beat to win the title last year - that the field was tougher this year.

Joyce singled out three-time world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald of Australia as the toughest opponent in her path to a third consecutive title. They are seeded to meet in the semifinals on Sunday morning, New Zealand time.

Third seed Fitz-Gerald, who has never won a British Open, has returned to the circuit after knee surgery. She beat Janie Thacker of England 9-4, 9-6, 9-2 in 30 minutes.

Joyce plays England's Jenny Tranfield in round two early today.

- NZPA