11/04/2010 - Paul Coll and Emma Millar have taken out the titles at the New Zealand Junior Open in Auckland |
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Canterbury's Paul Coll and Wellington's Emma Millar have been crowned champions after two thrilling finals at the New Zealand Junior Squash Open in Auckland.
Paul Coll claimed the boys title with a hard fought five game victory over second seeded Aucklander Lance Beddoes. The top seed was pushed all the way, but eventually edged home 8/11, 11/9, 11/4, 10/12, 11/9. Both players will have done no harm to their chances of being in the New Zealand team for July's Junior Men's World Championships in Ecuador.
Third seed Bryce Redman also had a good tournament, beating fourth seeded Michael Sunderland in straight games in the third place playoff.
Meanwhile, Emma Millar defended the title she won in 2009, but it was anything but easy. The fourth seed had to hold off a superb fight back from second seeded Cantabrian Megan Craig, who bounced back from two games down to force a deciding fifth. However, Millar held her nerve to make it two titles in a row with an 11/8, 11/7, 8/11, 5/11, 11/8 victory.
Top seed Lana Harrison also bounced back from the disappointment of losing in the semifinals, winning the third place playoff against third seed Amanda Landers-Murphy in four.
Results
Boys
Final
1. Paul Coll (Canterbury) def 2. Lance Beddoes (Auckland) 8/11 11/9, 11/4, 10/12, 11/9
3rd place playoff
3. Bryce Redman (Eastern) def 4. Michael Sunderland (Southland) 11/6, 11/6, 11/7
Girls
Final
4. Emma Millar (Wellington) def 2. Megan Craig (Canterbury) 11/7, 11/7, 8/11, 5/11,11/8
3rd place playoff
1. Lana Harrison (Auckland) def 3. Amanda Landers-Murphy (Auckland) 11/4, 11/3, 8/11, 11/5
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