2001 FINALS:
	Leilani Joyce bt Carol Owens   9/7  9/6  9/0  31m
	David Palmer bt Thierry Lincou  15/13  15/6  15/9  46m
	Hong Kong Champ Palmer on top of the World Alan Thatcher reports on the finals and the inexorable rise of David Palmer

The current Australian world champion couldn't quite make it to world number one this time, but an  Australian surely-to-be world champion has made it to the top of the professional tree.

Having overcome Sarah Fitz-Gerald in yesterday's tremendous semi-final, ending the former world-champion's eight-month unbeaten streak, Leilani Joyce was in no mood to relinquish her world #1 status to Carol Owens today, even if Owens is soon to join Joyce in the Kiwi fold.

The first two games were close, but in the end Joyce's determination was too much for Owens as Joyce strode away to take the third 9-0, and with it the top prize in the first Women's Eye-Group sponsored Grand Prix event. There was to be no dramatic comeback for Owens this time, as in last October's World Open final, their last WISPA tour meeting. Owens led at the mid-point of each of the first two games, but Joyce eased away in each to establish a 2-0 lead, and never looked back in the third.

For David Palmer this was his chance to take the coveted world #1 position, and he too was determined that this was going to be his day. It was Palmer's fifth successive PSA tour final, and the ranking points he earned will mean as much at the winners' portion of the $100,00 on offer in this PSA 'Platinum' event.

Thierry 'Titi' Lincou had a great run to the final, but apart from a recovery towards the end of the first game he was never able to put the young Aussie under threat, as Palmer established leads in each game and kept the half-Chinese crowd favourite at bay throughout the match.

Palmer on top of the World  Interview with David Palmer

Finals Photo Gallery

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