It was Quarter-Finals Friday in Weybridge, with eight matches – all featuring the top seeds – on the Glass Court at St George’s Hill LTC.
It was another good day for the seeds with seven of the eight matches going as predicted, the exception being a sensational win for Wales’ Emily Whitlock over two-time defending champion and home favourite Jasmine Hutton.
All four semi-finals will feature an English player, with one Scottish and three Welsh players set to take them on tomorrow.
Read on for reports, reaction and photos …
Women’s Quarters :
[1] Gina Kennedy (Eng) 3-0 [5/8] Katie Malliff (Eng) 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (38m)
[3/4] Tesni Murphy (Wal) 3-0 [5/8] Lucy Turmel (Eng) 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 (40m)
[5/8] Emily Whitlock (Wal) 3-1 [3/4] Jasmine Hutton (Eng) 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 (56m)
[2] Sarah-Jane Perry (Eng) 3-1 [5/8] Georgia Adderley (Sco) 11-7, 8-11, 11-1, 11-6 (46m)
Men’s Quarters :
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Eng) 3-1 [5/8] Patrick Rooney (Eng) 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (45m)
[3/4] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-1 [5/8] Curtis Malik (Eng) 7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 (57m)
[3/4] Marwan ElShorbagy (Eng) 3-1 [5/8] Declan James (Eng) 13-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5 (58m)
[2] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-0 [5/8] Rory Stewart (Sco) 11-0, 11-4, 11-4 (28m)
Draws & Results Live Scoring Streaming & Replays Photo Gallery
Kennedy Downs Malliff To Reach Semi-Finals
[1] Gina Kennedy (Eng) 3-0 [5/8] Katie Malliff (Eng) 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (38m)
It was an edgy start to the match, with both players making errors, but it was the No.1 seed who pushed on from 5-4 to earn five game balls, converting on the fifth opportunity.
Kennedy looked sharper in the second game, cutting out the unforced errors that allowed Malliff a way into the first game as she surged to a 2-0 lead.
The World No.38 was more accurate in the third game as she battled the 27-year-old to 7-7. Despite the strong late reaction from the 21-year-old, it wasn’t enough to overcome the quality of Kennedy as the World No.6 pushed on to win in straight games.
“It was a really tough quarter-final match-up. I’ve never played her before, but I’ve seen her play and rise up the rankings. She’s an extremely talented player. She fights for every ball which I love.
“This title has eluded me before. I was No.1 seed last year and wasn’t able to live up to those expectations. I’m top seed again this year. It comes with a different pressure because people expect things and I expect things of myself. I’m trying to look at it as a good tester for the season.
“Whoever I play tomorrow will be a super tough match, but a really enjoyable one because we’re good friends off-court.”
Result: Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Katie Malliff (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (38m)
Resurgent ElShorbagy Takes Down Rooney
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Eng) 3-1 [5/8] Patrick Rooney (Eng) 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (45m)
Rooney began the match with an unrelenting pace to his game, quickly bounding to an 8-4 lead. The former World No.1 began to increase the intensity, but the 27-year-old maintained his advantage to take the first game 11-7.
ElShorbagy looked revitalised as he entered the court for game two. The two-time champion pushed to a quick 8-2 lead. Rooney struggled to keep up with the ‘Beast’s’ intensity as the World No.8 restored parity in the match, before taking third game comfortably to go within one game of the semi-finals.
The defending champion continued his resurgence despite a early fightback from Rooney, and took the fourth game 11-9 to claim his place in the semi-finals.
“Patrick is a very dangerous player. He’s one of those players that on his day he can trouble all of the top 10 players. Probably just the consistency that’s lacking in his game. Obviously he’s been out with an injury.
“I think because Gina and I both played the World Tour Finals, we finished our season 2-3 weeks later so we get a shorter break than everyone else. It’s not an excuse because you still have to find a way to win, it’s what you sign up for as a top player.
“I feel more ready than last year, but I don’t care if I feel ready or not. I care about is trying to get the results as I have done my entire career, so let’s see what happens.”
Result: Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) bt Patrick Rooney (ENG) 3-1: 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (45m)
Murphy Defeats Turmel to Reach Semi-Finals
[3/4] Tesni Murphy (Wal) 3-0 [5/8] Lucy Turmel (Eng) 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 (40m)
Murphy began the match with an unmatched intensity as she pushed to quick-fire 6-0 lead. The Englishwoman rallied to 5-6, but the 2018 and 2019 champion kept a narrow lead to see out the first game 11-7.
While both players had phases of dominance in the first game, the pair were far more evenly matched in game two. Turmel began to find her range, but Murphy dug in and showed her fighting spirit as she edged the match 11-9.
The fourth and final game was played in a similar vein, with a good showings from Turmel, but ultimately not enough to trouble fourth seed Murphy as she won 11-8 to claim her spot in the semi-finals.
“It was close. It was 3-0, but it could’ve easily been 3-1 or 3-2. We all know the quality Lucy has so I had to really be on my game today and be accurate.
“This tournament means a lot. I’ve won it a couple of times, and I would love to get my name on the trophy another time before I stop in the next couple of years.
“It’s a really prestigious tournament. And being a Welsh person and the other Welsh people in the draw really want to prove ourselves. That’s the way we are.”
Result: Tesni Murphy (WAL) bt Lucy Turmel (ENG)3-0: 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 (41m)
Lobban Comes From Behind To Claim Semi-Final Spot
[3/4] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-1 [5/8] Curtis Malik (Eng) 7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 (57m)
Curtis Malik played with intensity from the first serve of the first game, and with great effect as he stormed to 11-7 to take a quick 1-0 lead.
The Scottish No.1 reacted on game two, and matched the Englishman’s intensity. In a closely-contested contest, Lobban restored parity at 1-1.
Lobban put pressure on Malik in game three, and looked to dominate rallies as his experience showed as he edged the 17-minute third game 11-9.
The players were inseparable on the scoreboard as the fourth game progressed, trading points to 7-7 until Lobban pushed on to win the match 11-9.
“As I’ve never played Curtis before I was a little bit apprehensive about what to expect today.
“The Malik family has a lot of competition and it won’t be long until they’re up the rankings and challenging top guys really soon.
“Even yesterday, it was quite alarming to see how impulsive I was with my own decision-making, when a few months ago I was dealing with that so well. It was an improvement to do, but it’s not where I want it to be.”
Result: Greg Lobban (SCO) bt Curtis Malik (ENG) 3-1: 7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 (57m)
Whitlock Shocks Defending Champion To Reach Semi-Finals
[5/8] Emily Whitlock (Wal) 3-1 [3/4] Jasmine Hutton (Eng) 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 (56m)
Wales’ Emily Whitlock stunned two-time Nationals champion Jasmine Hutton to take her place in tomorrow’s semi-finals.
In a interesting start to proceedings for the evening session, Whitlock looked sharper than the defending champion as she controlled the tempo of the game and rushed to a 7-3 lead. Hutton began to find her targets in the latter stages of the game, but the Welshwoman held firm to take a 1-0 lead.
Hutton looked fired up as the second game commenced and the pair were particularly evenly-matched, with both scoring pin-point accurate winners throughout the game. It was the No.3 seed that had the edge in the end to level the match at 1-1.
In a stop-start third game that included a ball being lost after Hutton hit it out, Whitlock seemed less affected than the disruptions and won the game 11-7 to retake the lead.
The Welshwoman kept her composure throughout the fourth game and continued to play pin-point accurate squash. Whitlock began to celebrate early but, on review, a stroke on match ball was over-turned to a ‘yes let’, but the 2019 runner-up won the match properly on the next rally to claim victory over the two-time defending champion.
“I managed to keep my head when it was a bit nip-and-tuck. I could’ve done better mentally in the second, but it’s 11 scoring, as soon as you let a few rallies go, it’s just gone.
“Jasmine plays at a fast pace. I don’t like playing at a fast pace. I like taking my time. I lift, I change the pace. It’s not anything I would do specifically for Jasmine. I just play how I like to play. With her being a lefty as well I feel like I didn’t want to play on her forehand so much.”
On a potential match-up with No.2 seed Sarah-Jane Perry, the Welshwoman said, “I haven’t played SJ for almost a year now. It would be nice to play her again and see the comparisons.”
Result: Emily Whitlock (WAL) bt Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 3-1: 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 (56m)
Resilient ElShorbagy Beats James
[3/4] Marwan ElShorbagy (Eng) 3-1 [5/8] Declan James (Eng) 13-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5 (58m)
Third seed Marwan ElShorbagy reaches the semi-finals on his British Nationals debut after defeating World No.50 Declan James.
It was a close first game, with neither player being far away from the other on the scoreboard. James earned game balls at 10-9 and 11-10, but the former World No.3 took the game after his opponent gave away some quick-fire points.
James was dominant in game two, looking focused as he quickly accumulated points to take the second game 11-4.
ElShorbagy looked a lot more aggressive in the third game, placing his shots well and managing to keep James moving throughout the rallies to retake the lead in the match. The World No.10 seemed to have found the groove and pushed on to win the fourth game 11-5 and take his spot in tomorrow’s semi-finals.
“Declan is a great player. I’m happy to see him slowly getting back into it. I’ve seen his progress and I hope he gets back to the top 20 because I know he’s got the squash for it. He beat Karim Abdel Gawad at the London Classic so I knew how dangerous he could be.
“I’m happy with the way I’m performing. I kind of switched off for a game and a half and let him control it. Hopefully I play even better tomorrow.”
Result: Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) bt Declan James (ENG) 3-1: 13-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5 (58m)
Perry Beats Out Resurgent Adderley
[2] Sarah-Jane Perry (Eng) 3-1 [5/8] Georgia Adderley (Sco) 11-7, 8-11, 11-1, 11-6 (46m)
Second seed Sarah-Jane Perry defeated Scottish No.1 Georgia Adderley to reach tomorrow’s semi-finals where she faces Wales’ Emily Whitlock.
It was a strong opening game from the No.2 seed. Adderley managed to put some work into Perry’s legs in some longer rallies, but many unforced errors at the wrong times cost the Scotswoman the first game.
Game two saw a strong response from Adderley, as she pushed higher onto the T, and started retrieving difficult shots to force the Englishwoman to place her shots even more accurately. Perry controlled a lot of the second-game rallies, but it was Adderley who controlled the scoreboard as she levelled the match at 1-1.
Perry dominated the second game, with all of her shots finding their targets as she surged to a 11-1 win in six minutes.
Although not quite as in control as the second game, perry closed out the match comfortably to win the match and book her spot in the semi-finals.
“I loved her attitude, she went after every ball, all credit to her. She’s been improving and I’ve seen that.
“I was looking forward to playing her today. I love the energy she brings on court.”
Result: Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Georgia Adderley (SCO) 3-1: 11-7, 8-11, 11-1, 11-6 (46m)
Makin eases past Stewart to reach the semis
[2] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-0 [5/8] Rory Stewart (Sco) 11-0, 11-4, 11-4 (28m)
Welsh No.1 Joel Makin made quick work of the final match of the round, racing to a straight game win over Scotland’s Rory Stewart in just 28 minutes, the shortest match of the day.
Dominant throughout, Makin took the lead without conceding a point, went 4-0 up in the second before Stewart brought a cheer from the crowd by scoring his first point, then took nine points in a row from 2-4 down in the third to reach his fifth successive Nationals semi-final.
Result: [2] Joel Makin (Wal) bt [5/8] Rory Stewart (Sco) 3-0: 11-0, 11-4, 11-4 (28m)
