King beaten in high quality Texas final

New Zealand squash star Joelle King has fallen just short of winning her second Texas Open crown on the WISPA World Tour.

The 2010 champion has been beaten in the final of this year's event, going down 3-1 to top seed Camille Serme of France.

Serme grabbed the early advantage, winning the first game 11-5 but fourth seeded King bounced back to take the second 11-9.  However, the Frenchwoman narrowly claimed the next two games to win 11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, in a match described as some of the best squash ever played in Houston.

Earlier, King had upset Hong Kong's Annie Au in the semifinals, downing the world number seven 16-14, 11-9, 11-7.

Joelle King will now head home to New Zealand to prepare for next month's British Open in London.

Results

Round One
1. Camille Serme (FRA) def Q. Maria Toor Pakay (PAK) 11-0, 11-3, 11-3
7. Latasha Khan (USA) def Victoria Lust (ENG) 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7
3. Samantha Teran (MEX) def Larissa Stephenson (NZL) 11-3, 11-8, 11-7
5. Donna Urquhart (AUS) def Q. Lisa Aitken (SCO) 11-9, 11-6, 11-5
Lucie Fialova (CZE) def 6. Sarah Kippax (ENG) 11-7, 7-11, 3-11, 11-5, 11-5
4. Joelle King (NZL) def Q. Deon Saffery (WAL) 11-2, 11-3, 11-0
8. Melody Francis (AUS) def Olivia Blatchford (USA) 11-8, 11-3, 11-8 2.
Annie Au (HKG) def Q. Kristen Lange (USA) 11-6, 11-5, 11-6

Quarterfinals
1. Camille Serme (FRA) def 7. Latasha Khan (USA) 13-11, 11-4, 11-5
3. Samantha Teran (MEX) def 5. Donna Urquhart (AUS) 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10
4. Joelle King (NZL) def Lucie Fialova (CZE) 11-5, 11-1, 11-1
2. Annie Au (HKG) def 8. Melody Francis (AUS)11-2, 11-4, 11-4

Semifinals
1. Camille Serme (FRA) def 3. Samantha Teran (MEX) 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7
4. Joelle King (NZL) def 2. Annie Au (HKG) 16-14, 11-9, 11-7

Final
1. Camille Serme (FRA) def 4. Joelle King (NZL) 11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9