21 World Masters Champions Crowned on Thrilling Finals Day In Perth

It was an action-packed final day in Perth, Australia, where 21 World Masters Champions were crowned, rounding off an incredible WSF World Squash Masters tournament.

With 1,639 matches completed, there was plenty of exciting finals action across the three venues - Belmont Squash Centre, Squashworld Mirrabooka and Karrinyup Shopping Centre.

Among the action, Australia's Melissa Martin was crowned the Women's 50+ World Masters Champion after surviving an incredible five-game battle against her top-seeded compatriot Jane Kennedy.

A two-time runner-up in 2014 and 2018, Martin was able to use her previous finals experience to establish a quick 2/0 lead, winning the opening two games 11-5, 11-1.

Moving into the third, and with momentum firmly with Martin, it seemed as though she was set to power through and lift the world title. However, Kennedy would delay the celebrations, fighting hard to keep Martin at arm's length on the scoreboard before winning back-to-back games 13-11, 11-9.

With the title slipping away, the No.2 seed was able to recompose herself and take a commanding lead in the fifth, eventually closing out the game 11-1 to secure her first World Masters title on the all-glass court at Karrinyup Shopping Centre.

"I feel so relieved to be honest, this is my third time in the final, so I guess it is third time lucky," said Martin

"To do it in Perth, in Australia, in front of my friends and families it is really special. Today I just had to focus, and remind myself to go back to basics and go for my shots, which weren't happening in third and fourth.

"I just feel so relieved," she added

In the Men's 50+ draw, Australia's former World No.38 Michael Corren added another title to his already illustrious trophy cabinet, lifting the World Masters title for the first time after defeating USA's Alexander Clark in straight games.

Meanwhile, in the Women's 35+ final, Australia's Samantha Foyle claimed the World Masters title with victory over her compatriot Zoe Petrovansky, the top seed, in a dramatic five-game thriller.

With Petrovansky taking a 2/1 lead, the most pivotal moment of the match came in the fourth game, when the No.1 seed held match ball at 10-8 and looked certain to lift the title.

However, Foyle had other ideas, halting those plans and fighting back to claim the fourth game 14-12. With momentum firmly in Foyle's corner, she was then able to close out the tie, winning the fifth 11-5.

After claiming the Women's 35+ World Masters title and defeating the No.1 seed in dramatic fashion, Foyle said: "I'm absolutely stoked, I'm so relieved and totally speechless but I'm so happy to have won today.

"I had wrote myself off today, I kept thinking about Sue Williams (Women's 60+ Bronze medallist) who I train with. She was match ball down earlier this week and came back, so I just kept telling myself to keep fighting and leave it all out there and just get one more point and I was able to get through that game somehow.

"To win, I was so relieved and I'm just so, so happy."

Among today's finals, this was not the only No.1 seed to fall on the glass court. In the Men's 40+ draw, Australia's former world No.49 Matthew Karwalski was beaten by his compatriot and former World No.45 Steven Finitsis in straight games.

In the Men's 45+ draw, England's James Bowden lifted his first World Masters title after beating Australia's Jeff Osborne in four games.

Despite falling behind after Osborne claimed the opening game 4-11, Bowden showed his resilience to claw his way back in the second, winning 11-7, before continuing his comeback to win the third 11-6 and the fourth 13-11.

Bowden said: "To become a world champion is amazing, you can't quite put it into word just how much this means.

"From coming so close two years ago in the final, where I was beaten comfortably, to this year's event, which I saw as unfinished business. I'm over the moon.

"I travelled along way to get the title I really wanted, so to get it, with my son watching, is amazing."

Meanwhile, at the Belmont Squash Centre, WA local Sue Hillier was successful once again, becoming a four-time World Masters Champion after defeating USA's Phoebe Trubowitz.

In the afternoon sessions, England's Mark Woodliffe lifted the Men's 65+ title for the first time after upsetting Ireland's four-time World Masters Champion Willie Hosey in an entertaining five-game battle.

The Englishman, who defeated seven-time World Masters Champion Geoff Davenport in the quarter-finals, continued his strong form and held his nerve after conceding a 2/0 lead.

Despite allowing his opponent back into the match, with the scores level at 2/2, the 5/8 seed was able to take control once again, going on to claim the tie 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8.

Elsewhere, at Squashworld Mirrabooka, Canada's No.1 Gerald Poulton claimed the Men's 80+ title in a tightly contested five-game battle against Spain's Jose Luis Alba, winning 4-11, 11-9, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6.

In the Women's 70+ final, Scotland's No.1 seed Pauline Douglas retained her title after beating Australia's Gaye Mitchell in an entertaining five-game battle.

The match produced an incredible fourth game, with the pair battling through 34 points before Douglas eventually prevailed 18-16. Winning her fourth World Masters title, Douglas was then able to close out the five-game battle 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 16-18, 11-9.

In the Women's 75+ draw, Margaret Hunt-Kemp also claimed the prestigious title for the first time after defeating France's Claire Bryars in straight games.

While in the Men's 75+ draw, Hong Kong China's Kai Ki Chan claimed the title after beating Australia's Geoff Chambers 11-8, 11-9, 11-8.

South Africa's Stan Voges also claimed the Men's 70+ title after defeating four-time World Masters Champion and favourite John Macrury of the Cayman Islands in straight games.