Squash: 'Wonder Woman's' dream comes true

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

"I have finally achieved something that Susan Devoy did. I feel like Wonder Woman."

A lifetime dream came true for emotional New Zealand squash star Leilani Joyce yesterday when she won the British Open from world champion Cassie Campion.

The 25-year-old Joyce won her first major title in Aberdeen, seven years after the sport's legend, Dame Susan Devoy, claimed her eighth British Open.

Joyce - who sobbed for half an hour after her victory - was spurred on by a British magazine article she read the night before proclaiming that Englishwoman Campion would not be beaten by anyone on the women's circuit for the next five years.

Then there was the drive to emulate Devoy, the last great Kiwi squash player - who was thrilled for Joyce yesterday.

"It's particularly good for Leilani because it hasn't been easy for her," said Devoy. "She hasn't had any handouts - she didn't do it in luxury or style.

"I've always told her the opportunity was there for her to take. She's come pretty close to the top before, but it's so important to have a title.

"It's so good to see someone doing well in squash again - it's been in the doldrums, and it needed a champion."

It took Joyce an hour to beat 26-year-old Campion.

Joyce went down in the first game 6-9 - the only game she lost in the tournament - but fought back 9-6, 9-3, 10-8.

Joyce won sterling 4524 ($14,700), but was more captivated with the $600 trophy fashioned from Edinburgh crystal.

"I don't need any more Christmas presents - this is all I wanted," she laughed.

She will get another present in the New Year, when she officially becomes the world No 2. But for the latter part of this year, Joyce has been runner-up in four major events.

"When I won the last point I just thought, 'This is it - this is my dream come true.' I was a real mess.

"I came off the court, walked into my dark little corner, and bawled my eyes out. Sarah [Fitz-Gerald, former world champion] came over and I gave her a massive hug.

"I couldn't let go - I was bawling and shaking.

"When they called me back on the court as the new British Open champion, I kept thinking, 'I should be runner up, shouldn't I?'

"Then I loved it - it was my moment out there.

"It doesn't matter what happens now. My name will always be in the British Open record books. Once would be plenty."

It has not been an easy year for Joyce. Last year she was ranked 13th in the British Open. This year she lost to the now-retired Australian No 1 Michelle Martin in the Australian, Singapore and Helipolis Opens, before dipping out to Campion in the semifinals of the world championships and the final of the US Open last month.

The difference yesterday was Joyce's relaxed game plan.

"I went into it feeling relaxed, but competitive. Cassie was on form, but I wasn't going to let that overawe me," she said. "I just had to try to keep the ball out of the volley, to keep it in the corners."

She returns home to Hamilton tomorrow, to take a break until New Year when she will play in a summer tournament in Mt Maunganui.

"Of course it would have been nice to have won absolutely everything this year," she said. "But it just goes to show that with every game I've learned heaps to get to my special moment."