Joyce retains British Open title

Leilani Joyce retained her British Open squash title

By BBC Sport Online's Matthew Davis

Reigning champion Leilani Joyce ended the hopes of English qualifier Sue Wright, beating her in three straight games to take the women's title at the 2000 British Open squash championships.

Wright, 30, who spent most of the season recovering from viral pneumonia, was the first qualifier to reach the Open final, but simply ran out of steam against her younger opponent.

After the match a jubilant Joyce said she had received confirmation that her victory had put her top of the women's world rankings, displacing England's Cassie Campion, beaten in the second round by unseeded Vanessa Atkinson.

"It doesn't get much better than this," said Joyce. "This is the most prestigious tournament in the world and to become number one at the same time is just fantastic."

It doesn't get much better than this - this is the most prestigious tournament in the world and to become number one at the same time is just fantastic

  Leilani Joyce

The strain of seven matches en route to the last round was clearly evident in Wright, as Joyce's aggressive volleying forced the pace of the match.

It was a tired-looking Wright who conceded the first game with two consecutive errors, the first, a drop into the tin when she looked to have won an exhausting rally.

For her part, Joyce, 26, had to contend with the very different pressure of being favorite for the final after winning as underdog in 1999.

But with Wright clearly struggling the New Zealander held her nerve to run out a 9-7 9-4 9-2 winner.