Squash: Kitchen makes last 16

Shelley Kitchen won an all-New Zealand squash battle in the final round of qualifying yesterday to book a place in the Australian Open in Melbourne.

She beat Lara Petera 3-9 9-0 9-4 9-0 to join top New Zealander Leilani Joyce, the tournament's No 2 seed, in the 16-strong main draw.

Kitchen will play sixth-seeded South Australian Claire Mitch in the first round today, while Joyce will face another South Australian, Didi Harris.

A third New Zealander Hayley King, failed to qualify after losing to Queenslander Natalie Grinham 9-4 9-10 10-8 10-9.