Devoy set for a showdown

Press, 31 August 1985, Page 80

Devoy set for a showdown

NZPA staff correspondent Dublin Susan Devoy was expecting a memorable showdown with England’s Lisa Opie in the world women’s squash championship this morning New Zealand time. Devoy, aged 21, from Waikato, skyrocketed to success in the squash world when she beat Opie in the 1984 British Open final. YYesterday morning the English No. 2 upset calculations and entered the Dublin final at the expense of the British national champion and second seed Martine le Moignan, whom Devoy beat for this year’s British Open title.

Devoy, seeking her first world championship, said Opie would have no pressure on her in their match “and she’s an excellent player when she is not under pressure”. The New Zealander was in improving form as she outclassed England teenager, Lucy Soutter, 9-1, 9-5, 9-2, in their semi-final today. She was concerned later only that nerves would hit her in a final that she so badly wants to win.

But she looked more relaxed than when feeling the tension when she battled through tough matches to retain her British Open title. Soutter, the world junior champion, was forced into errors, and flagged under Devoy’s dynamic pace. The England representative’s best showing was in the second set when the New Zealander started to feel fatigue after the hot

pace which she set to win the first game. Soutter led Devoy, 5-4, in the second set, but Devoy shifted back into a higher gear. Devoy said the world title, contested every two years, was “the ultimate. I would hate to lose the final”.

“If I lose, for the next two years I will be world No. 1 but not the world champion. “I have had to explain that to people so often in the past, and it takes away a lot of what you’ve done.” Devoy was relieved to get to the final, despite some “shocking” form early in the week and health upsets including a heavy cold and an allergy rash which had flared up again. “I’m glad to have got to the final. It’s been against. all the odds. “It’s like there’s been a voodoo out there trying to stop me.” The Waikato representative said she felt less affected by her cold, but “I don’t know what I’m going to be like if I’m really pushed.” Opie’s performance promised a testing final.

She was tenacious in returning the strokes of the shot-making le Moignan, and relentless in contesting the court with the taller, athletic opponent. The early honours were shared, with Opie winning the first set 9-6, and the England No. 1 le Moignan the second, 9-7. Opie, the third seed in the championship, pulled away to take the next two, 9-3, 9-5.