New Zealand squash ace Joelle King has been beaten in the quarter-finals of the women’s world squash championships in Manchester, England.
King, 29 who has been in top form over the past few months was seeded ninth and had earlier beaten the seven seed Sarah-Jane Perry (England) in the tournament.
However she found herself outclassed in the last eight by the third seed from France Camille Serne 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 in 29 minutes.
It was the first quarter-final at a world champs for King since 2013 and will give her real drive towards next year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Serme, 28, raced 5-1 up in the first game and never relented her control in a match featuring numerous long rallies.
She is aiming to become the first French woman to win the title.
"I'm not thinking about winning it yet - I was just so focused on that one. I knew it was going to be a tough battle. Although it was 3-0, it was a hard match," Serme said.
"Mentally and physically, the rallies were pretty quick and the pace was fast.
I'm just relieved after this win."
King, 29, beat Serme when the pair last met at this year's US Open, one of several tournaments at which the tall New Zealander has shone.
It ends the Kiwi involvement at the tournament, coming a day after world No.8
Paul Coll lost his men's quarter-final to French top seed Gregory Gaultier.
Newshub.
