Semis : Jazz downs Gina to reach the final

Defending champ Jasmine Hutton downs top seed Ginal Kennedy to join Tesni Evans in the women’s final as Mohamed ElShorbagy and Joel Makin set up a repeat men’s final.

British National Squash Championships 2023 : Day FOUR, SEMI-FINALS

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Eng) 3-0 [7] Charlie Lee (Eng)  11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (38m)
[2] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-0 [4] Adrian Waller (Eng)  11-8, 11-9, 11-4 (44m)


[5] Jasmine Hutton
(Eng) 3-1 [1] Gina Kennedy (Eng)  2-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5 (41m)
[2] Tesni Evans
(Wal) 3-2 [3] Sarah-Jane Perry (Eng)   11-4, 14-16, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7 (74m)

Draws & Results  Live Scoring  Watch Live

Mohamed ends Charlie’s run

Defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy moved into a second final in a row as he downed suprrise finalist Charlie Lee in three well contested games. to set up a repeat final against Joel Makin.

“It’s always a tough battle whenever you go out on court, especially when it is very hot and humid on court like that,” ElShorbagy said after the match. In these tough battles, the important thing is to win the last point of the match and I’m just glad that I won and now there is a big battle tomorrow in the final.

“I think it is most important to focus on what I can do, because if I can focus on what I can do, I can beat anyone in the world. I’m really excited to be in another final, I’m very excited to be against Joel again.

“He’s going to want to really win tomorrow, not just to beat me, but he will also want to give a warning sign for the rest of the guys. That’s the sort of mentality he has, it’s the kind of mentality I have, so that’s why when we play we always match up so well.”

Jazz downs top seed to keep title defence alive

Defending women’s champion Jasmine Hutton produced the upset of the tournament as se downed top seed Gina Kennedy in four games.

“I don’t really know what to say,” Hutton said. “Gina was so good in the first, and I was so passive I thought there was no way I was going to win it today. I got my tactics right, there were a few small things that I wanted to focus on in that match and I started to do them really well.

“I’m really excited. Me and Tesni get along really well, she’s an unbelievable tactician, so I’m really looking forward to it. We have played a few practice matches over the summer and the last season so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Fourth final in a row for Joel

In a repeat of the 2021 final Joel Makin beat Adrian Waller again, although tonight’s match was much tougher than that 2021 encounter.

“Performance-wise, it wasn’t as good as the last couple of days,” Makin said. “Once I could get my lines through and drag him out of the middle a little bit, space opened up towards the front corners and I could take a few more straight drops in there.

“This is a perfect test this week, but I have said it a few times, this is one I want to win, something I have always wanted to win. Getting it for the first time was a really big deal for me, so I really want to do it again.”

Tesni edges past SJ in five

The opening semi-final was a marathon between two former champions, with Wales’ Tesni Evans coming out on top.

That was very tough,” said Tesni afterwards. “Physically, mentally and tactically, it was an absolute battle. I think we both played pretty well and I always enjoy a battle with SJ It’s always tough, but thoroughly enjoyable.

“My game plan was to come out fast. It’s something I try and do a lot, it doesn’t always work, but against a player like SJ I had to try and not let her settle, and that first game was great. Unfortunately I didn’t come on in the second with same positivity, but that is all credit to SJ because she changed her game plan as well.

“I’m probably a little surprised. I didn’t have the best summer, so to come out and be in a final, and more than anything to have four amazing matches this week, with a week’s rest before Paris, is going to be fantastic. So one more big push tomorrow and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”