Hill Celebrates Maiden WISPA Title In Carcassonne

English fire-fighter Laura Hill celebrated her maiden WISPA World Tour squash title in style in France when she defeated defending champion Orla Noom in the final of the Women's Carcassonne City Open in Carcassonne.

Noom, the 21-year-old from the Netherlands who won her first Tour title in the event twelve months ago, despatched top seed Tricia Chuah in the semi-finals - while sixth seed Hill produced her second upset of the event in the other semi, beating second seed Louise Crome in five games.

Fourth seed Noom came out fighting in the first game - and at 7-2 and 8-3 up it seemed she might repeat last year's destruction of her opponent. But Hill is made of sterner stuff and held her nerve to take the opening game 10-8.

The 30-year-old from Duffield in Derbyshire also led in the second, but this time the Dutch title-holder took over to power home to draw level.

Hill reclaimed the advantage by taking the third game - and, with Noom making too many unforced errors, swiftly moved to 8-0 and match-ball in the fourth.

After saving four match-balls, Noom finally capitulated when Hill clinched the match 10-8, 5-9, 9-4, 9-6 after 63 minutes to make her momentous WISPA breakthrough.

Final:
[6] Laura Hill (ENG) bt [4] Orla Noom (NED) 10-8, 5-9, 9-4, 9-6 (63m)