Fitz-Gerald & White Win Victorian Open Titles

Australia's retired record five-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald powerfully demonstrated that she is still a major force to be reckoned with when she swept through the field of the Parkview Motor Inn Victorian Open as a qualifier - and clinched the trophy for a fifth time when she defeated eighth seed Louise Crome in straight games in today's women's final in Wangaratta, Australia

Although suffering from a kidney infection, Fitz-Gerald was still able to overcome the tenacity and spirit of the 26-year-old New Zealander 9-1 9-4 9-5 in 37 minutes - after despatching the top-seeded Australian Dianne Desira, also in straight games, earlier in the day in the semi-finals.

"Louise seems to have improved over the past month in her bid to be selected in the national team for the Women's Team Championship in Holland," said Fitz-Gerald after taking her haul of WISPA World Tour titles to 63!

In the men's championship, 27-year-old Victorian Cameron White earned his sixth PSA Tour title and his third Victorian Open crown when he defeated second-seeded compatriot Raj Nanda 9-15 15-8 15-7 15-3 in 68 minutes.

Both players thrilled the capacity crowd with a superb exhibition of agility and stroke making, but it was the younger Nanda who finally succumbed to enormous pressure placed upon him by his fellow Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship holder.

"White's victory, which followed a four-game win over New Zealander Callum O'Brien in the semi-finals, has also kept him in contention for a berth in the national team for the 2006 Commonwealth Games to be held in his home town Melbourne," said a Victorian Open spokesperson.

Men's semi-finals:
[1] Cameron White (AUS) bt [3] Kashif Shuja (NZL) 10-15, 17-15, 15-5, 15-6
[2] Raj Nanda (AUS) bt [4] Callum O'Brien (NZL) 15-11, 12-15, 15-2, 15-9

Final:
[1] Cameron White (AUS) bt [2] Raj Nanda (AUS) 9-15, 15-8, 15-7, 15-3 (68m)

Women's semi-finals:
[Q] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) bt [1] Dianne Desira (AUS) 9-1, 9-1, 9-1
[8] Louise Crome (NZL) bt [6] Aisling Blake (IRL) 9-0, 9-1, 4-9, 9-2

Final:
[Q] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) bt [8] Louise Crome (NZL) 9-1, 9-4, 9-5 (37m)