Double delight as Annie and Leo Au win Hong Kong Championship squash titles
The 26-year-old cruises to victory in her women's final, but her younger brother and reigning Asian champion has a tougher test in his match against Max Lee
Hong Kong's squash siblings have done it again, but this time they won in front of a home crowd yesterday to claim their respective national titles.
Annie Au Wing-chi won her fourth Hong Kong Championship women's crown after fending off a challenge from Liu Tsz-ling in the final at the Hong Kong Squash Centre in Central. Au won in four games, 11-6, 11-9, 4-11 and 11-5.
Younger brother Leo Au Chun-ming rallied to beat Max Lee Ho-yin in the men's final in five games.
Watch: Leo Au analyses his performance in the final
Leo Au, who was crowned Asian Champion last month, prevailed 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9 in a gruelling encounter.
Annie Au, who last won the national title together with her brother in 2012, said the final was not as tough as expected, especially with the exit of major rival Joey Chan Ho-ling in the penultimate stage.
There was great pressure on me from the first round as they all expected me to win a home championship
"I was in control of the match and only a lapse in concentration in the third game allowed Liu to come back," said Au, the world number 10.
"There was great pressure on me from the first round as they all expected me to win a home championship, which has no overseas competitors.
"I feel happy I made it in the end but, more importantly, I am pleased I maintained a consistent level in performance throughout the tournament and this is pivotal if I want to compete against the world's best."
Watch: Annie Au looks ahead to her next challenge
The world-class player hopes her sport can secure inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games programme. "This will be a crucial development for squash and, of course, we would expect even tougher competition among the top players if it is included in the Games," she said.
"Indeed, many of the top 10 players are in their mid-20s and the competition is already fierce with or without the Olympic Games. If you miss a tournament and do not gain ranking points, players will find it difficult to keep their position."
In the men's final, world number 16 Lee found his Hong Kong teammate Leo Au too difficult to handle despite holding a higher world ranking. "Leo has made great improvement, making it difficult for me to find his weak spots," Lee said.
