Finitsis & Camilleri Come Out Top In Darwin

Steve Finitsis and Lisa Camilleri made it an Australian double when they took out the men's and women's titles at the Top End Open in Darwin.

Finitsis, from Innisfail, beat compatriot Zac Alexander, from Brisbane, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8 to claim his maiden PSA Tour squash title. In the women's final, Queenslander Lisa Camilleri upset top seed Donna Urquhart 4-9, 9-7, 9-7, 9-4 to win the fourth title of her career and the third of the year.

Finitsis was in top form throughout the tournament, not dropping a game on the way to the title and although Alexander pushed him in the first and third games, Finitsis said he always felt in control.

The 25-year-old has seen his world ranking slide over the past few months to its current position of 95, but said this was a result of opting to play fewer tournaments so he could have an extended training period.

"The last time I played was at the Hong Kong Open in November," he said. "I've been training solidly for the last four or five months since then and it has paid off."

Earlier, Camilleri upset Urquhart in a closely fought final to cement her place in the world's top 50. The 25-year-old also gained some revenge after losing to Urquhart in a challenger tournament on the Gold Coast this month, at the same time showing she would be a serious contender for this year's Australian Open in late July.

Camilleri - who maintains her 100% success in WISPA World Tour finals - said she had been suffering from injury concerns over the past few weeks, but had seen a physio during the week and had had lingering back and hip problems sorted out.

"I felt heaps better - I felt like I had much more spring in my step," she said. "I was able to get really good length throughout the match."

Men's Final:
[1] Steve Finitsis (AUS) bt [2] Zac Alexander (AUS) 11-7, 11-4, 11-8

Women's Final:
[2] Lisa Camilleri (AUS) bt [1] Donna Urquhart (AUS) 4-9, 9-7, 9-7, 9-4