AUSTRALIAN Michelle Martin captured her third straight world crown by beating compatriot Sarah Fitz-gerald 8-10, 9-2, 9-6, 9-3 in the Pak Fah Yeow Women's World Championships final at the Hong Kong Park Indoor Games Hall yesterday.
Martin, who lifted the world title in Johannesburg in 1993 and retained it in Guernsey last November, is the first player to have won the tournament three years in succession although New Zealander Susan Devoy won it four times between 1985 and 1992.
'It is tremendous winning it three in a row,' said Martin, the undisputed world number one who has dominated women squash since Devoy's retirement in 1992.
'When I won my first [world title] I thought it was magnificent.
'But this one is the best of the lot. My husband, mother, sister and four friends have specially came up to watch and of course my uncle, who is also my coach.
'This win is also more satisfying than the previous ones as it was my hardest world final and the pressure was on me. Sarah is playing better than ever and gave me a very tough match.