Squash: Pair lived up to favouritism

Tauranga's Ben Grindrod lost in the semifinals of the North Island Championships. Photo / File

Top seeds Evan Williams and Ellie Epke justified their pre-tournament favouritism with victories at the North Island Championships held in Tauranga.

Williams continued his encouraging return from a long-term wrist injury with a hard fought win over Lance Beddoes in the men's open final.

The 25-year-old left-hander staved off a third game fightback from second-seeded Beddoes, edging home 11-9, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9.

It was an important win for Williams, as he fights for a spot in the New Zealand team for the Men's Team World Championships in Kuwait at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Epke was also taken to four games in the women's final, having to fight back from a game down to beat Rebecca Barnett.

Second-seeded Barnett got off to a quick start winning the first game 11-4 and was 6-1 up in the second before Epke slowly started to assert her dominance, battling back to win 4-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-5.

It is the first time Williams and Eke have been crowned champion at the North Island Open Championships.

Results.

Men: Quarter-finals

1. Evan Williams (Wellington) def Joelle King (Waikato) 11-5, 11-2, 11-6

4. Chris van der Salm (Canterbury) def Jonny Barnett (Canterbury) 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4

3. Ben Grindrod (Bay of Plenty) def Sam Atkins (Wellington) 11-6, 11-8, 12-10

2. Lance Beddoes (Auckland) def Luke Jones (Central) 11-6, 11-5, 12-10

Semifinals

1. Evan Williams (Wellington) def 4. Chris van der Salm (Canterbury) 11-4, 11-8, 10-12, 11-3

2. Lance Beddoes (Auckland) def 3. Ben Grindrod (Bay of Plenty) 11-8, 5-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9

Final

1. Evan Williams (Wellington) def 2. Lance Beddoes (Auckland) 11-9, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9

Women: Quarter-finals

1. Ellie Epke (Auckland) def Priscilla Wildsmith (Auckland) 11-9, 11-6, 13-11

4. Abbie Palmer (Auckland) def Hayley Hughes (Auckland) 12-10, 11-7, 11-4

3. Danielle Fourie (Central) def Nadine Cull (Waikato) 11-2, 11-1, 11-4

2. Rebecca Barnett (Central) def Juee Bhide (Auckland) 11-7, 12-10, 11-7

Semifinals

1. Ellie Epke (Auckland) def 4. Abbie Palmer (Auckland) 11-5, 11-4, 10-12, 11-6

2. Rebecca Barnett (Central) def 3. Danielle Fourie (Central) 4-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-8, 12-10

Final

1. Ellie Epke (Auckland) def 2. Rebecca Barnett (Central) 4-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-5