Perry gets biggest win of her career with joy in Canada

Just five days after winning the British National crown for the first time, England’s Sarah-Jane Perry powered to the biggest international squash title of her career after upsetting India’s Dipika Pallikal in the final of the Women’s Granite Open in Canada.

Success in the WSA International 25 event marks the 24-year-old from Kenilworth’s eighth WSA World Tour title – and her first-ever win over Pallikal.

Fourth seed Perry, the world number 16, made it to her 11th Tour final after overcoming top seed and defending champion Amanda Sobhy - ranked six places higher - in the semi-finals.

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But it was Pallikal who had the upper hand in the opening game, with Perry making too many unforced errors.

The English underdog corrected this in the second, pulling away from 6-6 to level the match.

Perry maintained the momentum in the third, racing to a 6-2 lead. But 23-year-old Pallikal fought back to level at 10-10, before Perry clinched the game 12-10.

Pallikal twice led in the fourth at 6-5 and 7-6 - but the Indian number one was unable to fend off Perry, who took five points in a row on the way to her 8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-7 triumph.

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“I’m thrilled to win my second Granite title,” exclaimed the jubilant champion.

“I love it here and it seems to make me play well.

“A fantastic tournament as always and I’m already looking forward to coming back.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks - I’m looking forward to a few days off now before Chicago!”

Last week in Manchester, Perry overcame fellow countrywomen Alison Waters and Laura Massaro, ranked three and five in the world, respectively, en-route to winning the British National Championship title against expectations.

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Following their loss to Knowle, the Warwick Boat Club second team got back to winning ways with a hard-fought victory away to David Lloyd.

Following some late team changes, Pete Jolley returned to record his first Warwickshire League victory recovering from 2-1 down to win 3-2 at fifth string.

The matches were played out of order and James Alty was next up but he went down 3-0 for the second-string match.

Steve Kelly had chances to win the match in the fourth game but he went down 3-2.

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Martin Smart dominated the first-string match which left it balanced 2-2.

Lloyd Lewis played at third string. The match was finely balanced with as it went to 
2-2.

The captain focused in the fifth to take it 15-8 and record a 16-11 win for the team.

Lewis said: “The training with club coach Jonathan Peak, is really starting to show dividends.

“This win puts us in strong position as we enter the business end of the season.”

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