Emily Whitlock played with composure, accuracy and grit to oust defending champion Jasmine Hutton and reach the British National Championships last four.
From the off, Whitlock looked sharp and determined and was a deserved 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 winner over Hutton. The Welshwoman will now take on second seed Sarah-Jane Perry in the semi-finals.
Whitlock, 30, attacked low, used the hold to good effect and won the match with a decisive lob which, after review, saw the 2019 runner-up – whose father and coach Phil is a former winner back in 1993 – over the line.
“I managed to keep my head when it was a bit nip-and-tuck. I could’ve done better mentally [in game two], but it’s 11 scoring, as soon as you let a few rallies go, it’s just gone.
“[Hutton] 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.”
On her semi-final match-up with No.2 seed Perry, Whitlock said: “I haven’t played [Perry] for almost a year now. It would be nice to play her again and see the comparisons.”
No.3 seed Marwan ElShorbagy reached the semi-finals of his debut British Nationals competition after defeating World No.50 Declan James, to keep the prospect of meeting his brother in the final in tact.
It was a close-fought first game. 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 and quickly accumulated points to restore parity in the match.
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, before pushing on to win the fourth game 11-5 and earn his spot in the semi-finals. The World No.10 spoke highly of his opponent after the match.
“Declan [James] is a great player,” said ElShorbagy.
“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 was aware how dangerous he could be.”
Elsewhere, defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy and fellow No.1 seed Gina Kennedy secured their place in the last four with victories over Patrick Rooney and Katie Malliff, respectively.
Welsh duo Tesni Murphy and Joel Makin also won their matches to join their compatriot Whitlock in the next stage of the competition.
Greg Lobban is Scotland’s last remaining representative in the event after defeating England’s Curtis Malik, and Perry reached her seventh British Nationals semi-final after beating Georgia Adderley.