Johnson is on the up despite 'Canning'

ELENA JOHNSON has exceeded all expectations by reaching the last four of the high-quality Sussex Elite Open.

The talented Guernsey star reached the semi-finals before falling to Jersey's England international Elizabeth Cann and claimed some notable scalps along the way.

'It was totally unexpected,' said Anne Johnson, Elena's mother and island development officer.

'With this latest result and the performances in previous ranking tournaments, Elena is now ranked fourth on the elite circuit.'

Johnson had to battle against not only her opponents, but also a partisan home crowd as she took on Sussex's Heather Olver in the quarter-finals.

'It is important that she plays these types of game. She must keep testing herself,' said Mrs Johnson.

After a first-round bye in the women's singles, Johnson beat Hampshire's Hannah Littlecott 11-0, 11-3. Then came the 11-9, 11-3 defeat of Olver.

However, Cann was too strong although there was no shame in the 1-11, 0-11 defeat.

Johnson teamed up with regular partner Reshmi Ouseph of Middlesex in the doubles, beating Nicola Cavill (Surrey) and Kathryn Gittins (Hamp-shire) in their first match 15-9, 15-8, before falling to Rachel Howard (Hertford-shire) and Claire Millward (Warwickshire) 6-15, 15-13, 6-15 in the quarter-finals.

Paul Le Tocq joined Johnson for the mixed doubles.

The Sarnians beat Edward Foster (Yorkshire) and Olver (Sussex) in the first round 4-15, 17-14, 15-12 and received a walkover from Chris Langridge (Surrey) and Caroline Westley (Essex) in round two.

They lost in the quarter-finals to number-one seeds Robert Blair (Leicester-shire) and Natalie Munt (Hertfordshire) 0-15, 2-15.