Welsh Open 2003
24-27 April, Newport, Wales

25-Apr
FITZ-GERALD'S DOUBLE BID FALTERS
Australia's Sarah Fitz-Gerald and local hero David Evans extended their success in Wales by winning the women's and men's titles, respectively, in the Welsh Open at the Newport Squash Club.

Fitz-Gerald, the record five-times World Champion from Melbourne, claimed her third successive Welsh Open title when she beat Welsh junior international Stacey Preece 9-5 9-2 9-3 in the women's final. 

Preece reached the final after upsetting second-seeded English player Jenny Wright in the semi-finals.  Wright had been elevated to second seed on the late withdrawal of Welsh champion Tegwen Malik following an ankle injury sustained in a training accident in the gym.

Fitz-Gerald made history in the Welsh Open - and headlines all over the world - when she also competed in the men's event.  Originally due to play her namesake Scott Fitzgerald in the first round, the former world No1 eventually faced Welsh No6 Matthew Crowley when the late withdrawal of English seed Andy Whipp led to a redraw.

Still suffering from the effects of a mild calf injury, the Australian went down 9-6 9-5 9-7 despite leading in all three games. 

The final was a repeat of the Welsh Nationals final in January - with the result going the same way.  Top seed Alex Gough took a 2-0 lead before David Evans fought back to level the match, then win the title 7-9 4-9 9-0 9-0 when Gough retired after the fourth game, not wishing to aggravate further a niggling injury.

• Draw & Results
   
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• Full draws from
  Squash Wales

David Evans

9/5, 9/2, 9/3

Stacey Preece

Full draws from Squash Wales

FITZ-GERALD SETS SIGHTS
ON WELSH DOUBLE  24-Apr
Following on from world number one Carol Owens' decision to play in both women's and men's events in the Fiji Bitter Open, five-time world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald has set her sight on a double in the Welsh Open, planning to go one better in this year's Welsh Open after winning the women's title in 2002.

The record five-times World Champion from Melbourne has entered both the men's and women's events in the 2003 event which will take place at the Newport Squash Club in Wales from 25-27 April.

Leading Welsh players Alex Gough, the world No15, and David Evans, the 2000 British Open champion and reigning Welsh National champion, are seeded one and two, respectively, in the men's event.

"I love playing in the Welsh Open, which I've done for the past three years," said Fitz-Gerald. "I've played in men's events a few times back in Australia, but this will be my first time in the UK.