King equals Devoy record after clinching 10th title

Joelle King is the fourth New Zealand woman to win the prestigious Hong Kong title
Photo: Steve Line/SquashPics.com

Joelle King has made history at the New Zealand Squash Open, claiming her 19th national title to equal the record set by squash great Dame Susan Devoy in 1992.

World number four King was joined on the winners podium by Paul Coll, who notched his seventh national title during the final day of competition at the Devoy Squash and Fitness Centre in Tauranga.

“This is always a special tournament for me, I can remember being a 10-year-old watching the nationals so to be here equalling Susie with 10 titles is pretty cool,” King said.

Squash great Dame Susan Devoy congratulated King on her milestone.

“Records are made to be broken and I hope we’ll see Joelle back here next year to go one better,” she said.

King’s only setback of the day was forgetting her squash shoes, with friend and doubles teammate Amanda Landers-Murphy managing to locate them at their accomodation and get them to King with half an hour until game time.

“In 17-years of playing professional squash I’ve never once forgotten my shoes,” King said.

“Unfortunately today was the first day it ever happened but my good old doubles partner had my back so I owe her one.”

On court King showed her pedigree for a comfortable victory over Megan Graham in the women’s final.

The eight-time Commonwealth Games medal winner controlled the pace of the match and directed play with her power and precision for a comfortable three game win 11-5 11-5 11-4.

In the men’s final world number five Coll used his trademark game to wear down tournament second seed Lwamba Chileshe and prevail 11-2, 11-3, 11-3.

– RNZ