Duncalf looking to roll back the years at the National Squash Centre
World number nine Jenny Duncalf is hoping a return to the scene of two memorable triumphs at the Women’s British National Championship will kick-start her 2014 campaign after two disappointing results on the WSA Tour last month.
Duncalf, a former world number two, suffered first round exits at the Tournament of Champions and Cleveland Classic after losing to England team-mate Sarah-Jane Perry and Hong Kong’s Annie Au respectively.
The Dutch-born 3/4 seed is now on the cusp of falling outside the world’s top 10 for the first time in over six years but with her 2007 and 2009 successes at the Manchester event still living long in the memory, Duncalf is hoping her title feats can inspire a revival of fortunes this week.
“I didn’t play well in January but am hoping to get it together for February,” the nine-time WSA Tour champion told the British National Championships website. “I need to make sure I’m physically in shape.
“A third title would be great. The Nationals rank very highly in my priorities. It’s a great title to have and an event that I am very fond of and feel comfortable at.”
The 31-year-old, who is in the opposite half of the draw to top seed Laura Massaro, opens her campaign against a qualifier on Thursday.
The former world number two is seeded to face Welsh number one Deon Saffery or 5/8 seed Sarah Kippax in the last eight, before a potential last four meeting with world number four Alison Waters in a repeat of their 2013 encounter.
Source: British National Championships website; Picture by Michael Catling