HONG KONG, 14 December 2003 — World No. 1 Carol Owens of New Zealand defeated England’s Cassie Jackman to win the World Women’s Open title yesterday.
The 32-year-old beat Jackman 3-9, 9-2, 9-7, 9-3 to win her second World Open title and hinted her 15 year-long career could soon end and that yesterday’s victory might allow her to end her career on a high note.
“I like the idea of going out at the top. At 32, I’m not getting any younger. But while I would have loved to make an announcement tonight, I will wait until I get back home and talk to people in New Zealand. I expect to make my decision in a fortnight,” Owens said. Owens dropped the first game, but hit back strongly as she rushed to a 5-0 lead in the second game, before wrapping it up 9-2. It was Jackman’s turn to dominate in the third game. She took a 6-1 lead, but the tide turned at 7-3 when Jackman was hit a glancing blow by a volley from Owens.
“That blow unsettled me and it took me a couple of points to get back,” said Jackman.
By then Owens had fought back and closed the gap. She drew level at 7-7, and then converted her second game ball to take a decisive 2-1 lead. It was Owens all the way in the fourth game. She took a 7-0 lead, before wrapping the match up on an error from Jackman to convert her first championship point.
