ANC Finals | Aussie No.1s show their class in Perth

Australia’s top-ranked players have risen to the challenge at the Australian National Championships in Perth by taking out both the men’s and women’s titles.

Joseph White broke through for his first National Title with victory over Rhys Dowling, while Jess Turnbull made it three in a row in downing Alex Haydon.

WOMEN’S FINAL
[1] Jess Turnbull (QLD) d [2] Alex Haydon (SA) 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-3)
Jess Turnbull has become just the second player to win three straight Australian National Championships titles after a come-from-behind victory in today’s women’s final.

Second seed Alex Haydon got the early advantage and took the first game, before Turnbull changed tactics to even the match up. 

The third game was another good contest which Turnbull triumphed in before running away in the fourth to take the trophy.

“It feels incredible - I’m stoked anyway whether it’s the first or the third so I’m just happy to get the win,” said Turnbull.

The only other player to win three straight ANC titles is Commonwealth Games gold medallist and former World No.5 Kasey Brown whose winning streak went from 2006 to 2008.

Having started on the back foot, the Australian No.1 was happy with the way she was able to turn the match around to take the ascendancy and keep it through to the end.

“I think I was subconsciously a little bit nervous to start - National title, I think it gets to you a little bit more than you think it does,” she said. “I was able to try something a little bit different and it ended up working out for me and I just kept going with that something a little bit different and then I got my confidence up and was just able to play my game freely.”

With the ANC bringing a close to Turnbull’s season, she now gets to focus on her upcoming wedding before the pre-season begins.

“I’ll be having a well-earned rest for the next little bit,” said Turnbull. “I get married this year so that’s next for me, and thenI’ll be starting my off-season training mid-July and we’ll keep working towards the tournaments starting in November.”

MEN’S FINAL
[1] Joseph White (NT) d [2] Rhys Dowling (NT) 3-2 (11-6, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11, 11-7)
Joseph White has claimed his first Australian National Championship after defeating Rhys Dowling 3-2 in a five-game thriller.

In an entertaining final, White jumped out to a commanding early lead and looked on track for a straightforward passage to the title.

However Dowling, desperate to win the national championship after three straight final losses, found his groove to win 22 of the next 33 points and send the match into a fifth and deciding game.

The World No.82 was able to wrest back momentum, showing his class to take the fifth 11-7 to be victorious in his first ever ANC final.

"It was a really tough final against Rhys today," said White. "I was really happy to get through that in five.

"Obviously I was two-love up and it was a bit touch and go at times there but I'm very happy to come through with the win."

Having played against Dowling since they were primary school age, White was happy to overcome his long-time rival.

"I think I'm probably 2 and 50 against Rhys right now!" said White. "I've been playing him for so long and it's only recently that I've been able to get over the top of him.

"I had a breakthrough win against him at the Oceanie World Champs qualis - I think that really helped because there's been a number of times I've played him in the past and had match balls and actually ended up losing to him. 

"He's two years older so all through juniors he was the Australian number one and I was on the end of a few choppings from Rhys growing up! So it does play in the back of your mind but I'm very happy to get through today."