Squash: In-form champion has her sights on the British Open

By JULIE ASH

It is described as the Wimbledon of squash but for world No 1 Carol Owens the British Open has been the one that has got away.

Since 1990 her career has included a World Open crown in 2000 and 25 professional titles from 47 finals - the British Open being the glaring omission.

Next month the 32-year-old Aucklander has the chance to change that when she lines up in Nottingham from October 1-5.

"For every squash player it is the one title they want to win," Owens said.

"If I can walk away from the sport saying that I have won a British Open I will be very happy."

Having challenged for it "nine or 10 times" her best result was in 2001 when she finished runner-up to Australian Sarah FitzGerald.

But if the last nine months are anything to go by, Owens is on track to be the next New Zealander to succeed in the tournament following Dame Susan Devoy, who won the event an incredible eight times between 1984 and 1992, and Leilani Rorani, who won in 1999 and 2000.

Since November Owens has been unbeaten in every event she has contested and yesterday in Auckland that continued when the Melbourne-born Owens claimed her second New Zealand title, beating fellow Aucklander Shelley Kitchen 9-1, 9-1, 9-2.

"At the moment it is really just staying on the top of my game and keeping my confidence up by training hard and knowing that when I do get to the British Open I know that if I have done the work I will win.

"It is a mental game as much as a physical game. I think it is the mental side you have to work on more than the physical side. Just telling yourself that you are good enough to win."

After the retirement of FitzGerald in January Owens was elevated to the world No 1 in March.

"It was pretty awesome but it was also disappointing having Sarah retire.

"For so long she was the one to chase. Now I am the person being chased and it is just a whole new ball game."

Owens and FitzGerald's rivalry could only be described as fierce, especially after Owens moved to New Zealand six years ago.

"I had the odd win over her but overall she had it over everyone really."

As for bowing out herself, Owens admits it has crossed her mind but with an event in New York and then the Qatar Classic and World Open in Hong Kong in December already planned, chances are it won't be this year.

"While you are enjoying it and you are winning I guess you continue. But it does get harder as you get older, I must admit."