British No.1 Georgina Kennedy has captured her second British National Squash Championships title after producing a quality performance to defeat Jasmine Hutton at St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club in Weybridge.
Top seed Kennedy, who lifted the title on this very court in 2024, held off a third-game comeback from No.2 seed Hutton to claim victory by an 13-11, 11-7, 2-11, 11-6 scoreline.
A fiercely competitive first game awaited the packed house in Weybridge, with Kennedy coming out of the blocks quickly and assuming a healthy lead with some clinical, error-free squash. However, Hutton began to find her range into the front as the first game progressed, rallying from a 10-7 deficit to sit game ball up with four straight points.
However, an inexplicable service fault from Hutton at 11-10 up, followed by two further errors, saw Kennedy clinch a crucial opening game 13-11.
Hutton’s hit-and-miss play continued in the second game, with Kennedy’s slightly higher margins and tight line hitting reaping their rewards. The 29-year-old barely put a foot wrong as she doubled her advantage in the match by an 11-7 scoreline.
Momentum swung in Hutton’s favour in the next game, with Hutton beginning to find her targets at the front with far higher accuracy. In a flash, the two-time champion had raced into an unassailable 8-1 lead, with the deader ball aiding Hutton’s ultra-attacking mindset.
The inevitable change of ball request from Kennedy came in at the end of the 11-2 third-game defeat, and the top seed took these moments to steady the ship and reassert herself in the contest.
A number of lengthy rallies followed at the start of the fourth, and in a repeat of the first two games, it was Kennedy whose consistent quality helped her get a healthy buffer on the scoreboard. The World No.8 brought up match ball after 53 minutes of play, and converted at the second time of asking.
After the match, Kennedy said: “Jaz and I always go back-and-forth when we play. It shows how good and disruptive she is, because I felt I had a really good summer. I’ve felt really confident with my hitting and what I’m trying to do out there, but even though I won the first two games, I did not feel comfortable out there at all.
“I didn’t feel like I was in control, and that’s a testament to her ability. The change of ball really helped me at the end of the third game, but that was such a tough match.
“It’s so good. I think we’re lucky to be able to get four matches on a glass court in front of a brilliant crowd right before the season starts.”
Result:
[1] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [2] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 3-1: 13-11, 11-7, 2-11, 11-6 (54m)For updates on the British National Squash Championships, visit the official tournament website or follow England Squash on Facebook and Instagram.
