Moverley Masterminds Tour Comeback With Tasmania Title
After
being out of the world rankings for two-and-a-half years, England's
Fiona Moverley has marked a sensational return to the WSA World
Tour by winning the Women's Tasmanian Open in Devonport
on the Australian island of Tasmania.
The
unseeded 27-year-old from Hull reached today's final of the WSA Tour
5 squash event at Devonport Squash Club after ousting top
seed Lisa Camilleri, the 2010 champion, and third seed
Christine Nunn - both from Australia - then overcame sixth-seeded
compatriot Victoria Temple Murray 11-8, 13-11, 11-5 in 40 minutes
to take the title.
The
unexpected triumph marked the third Tour title of world No.190
Moverley's career - but her first since success in the Indian
Challenger No3 in November 2009 led to her recording a career-high
world No.43 ranking.
"I'm
over the moon to have won the Tasmanian Open title," said the new
champion (pictured above with men's champion Mohamed Elgawarhy).
"I couldn't have wished for a better start to my comeback on the tour.
"I
knew the match wasn't going to be easy as I've been watching Victoria in
previous rounds and had to stick to a specific game plan throughout the
match. She was always on my heels and it was really important I got that
second game to go 2/0 up. I played well and stayed focused, managing to
push through to take the win 3/0.
"I
have recently returned to the WSA Tour after four years away and have
been training at The Hull and East Riding Sports Club with my coach Andy
Cockerill and strength & conditioning coach Michael Reid, with the aim
of improving on my previous highest world ranking of 43," Moverley
explained.
"I
gave up my full-time job and have been training full time for three
months prior to coming to Australia with the aim of adding to my
previous two WSA titles and improving my world ranking from 190 into the
top 100.
"I am
really happy to be back on the tour," Moverley continued. "It's always
been my dream to be a professional squash player and this time I won't
let anything stand in my way.
"I'd
like to thank Devonport Squash Club for hosting this event and to all
the members who have made all us players feel very welcome. I'd also
like to thank all the sponsors who make the event happen, without them
there wouldn't be a tournament.
"Finally I'd like to thank Leon and the team of organisers that
coordinated the event. It's been a very successful tournament and I look
forward to coming back to defend my title!"
Coach
Andy Cockerill added: "I admire Fi for making such a brave
decision, she's always had the ability to be a very good player but
since she has come back full-time she has worked extremely hard and been
very focused at becoming a better player. I look forward to helping her
achieve her goals over the coming years."
