|
23/01/2022
Dunlop British U23 Open 2022
Dunlop British U23 Open 2022
- Dunlop British U23 Open 2022, Roehampton Club, London, England
|
|
Dunlop British U23 Open 2022
22 - 23 Jan
London, England |
|
2022 Finalists |
 Women’s
Final:
 Saran
Nghiem bt Torrie Malik 3-2. 2/11, 11/7, 11/5, 11/7, 11/4.
A quick start from Torrie saw her settle in to the match while Saran
seemed sluggish and nervy. A 9/0 lead was soon closed out 11/2 with a
one-sided final on the cards. Saran seemed more switched on at the start
of the second but Torrie had momentum and confidence on her side and
from 4/4 Torrie pulled away to 8/5 and even though Saran was now moving
and striking the ball better Torrie took the game 11/7 and a 2-0 lead.
A change of tactic for Saran now saw her moving the ball in shorter with
every opportunity and it was now Torrie’s turn to seem unsettled. Some
unforced errors gave Saran a 5/1 lead and then more pressure with good
length gave Saran the third game 11/5.
The fourth was a close game all the way but it was Saran’s focus that
gave her the edge and from 7/5 up Torrie was searching for winners but
only finding errors by the narrowest of margins to give Saran the games
11/7 and take the match to a decider.
At 2/2 it looked like the title could go either way but once more it was
Saran who stayed patience and focus while Torrie made too many mistakes.
A 7/2 lead was not going to be given away and Saran did no such thing to
win the game 11/4 and the match to claim the 2022 Dunlop u23 women’s
British Open title.
Men’s
Final:
 Curtis
Malik bt Tom Walsh 3-2. 11/7, 11/5, 10/12, 8/11, 11/3.
The Men’s final started similar to the women’s…. Curtis Malik (Torrie’s
brother) went on the attack early as Tom looked tired and to be
struggling with his movement. Cutis opened up a 8/4 lead and even though
Tom was starting to move quicker around the court Curtis kept to his
game plan and took the first game 11/7. Curtis, as his sister before,
was high on confidence and hitting the ball with precision.
Tom searched for answered and each rally he was trying to switch defence
into attack but could not find success. Curtis took the game 11/5 and
2-0 up. At 7/4 up in the third most the crowd had handed the trophy to
Curtis but Tom wasn’t totally out of it.
7/5 was soon 8/8 and now all of a sudden Curtis looked lost at what to
do with Tom taking the ball in short to great returns. A missed match
ball for Curtis at 10/9 then saw Tom win three points in a row to get
the match back to 2-1.
It was de-ja-vu as with the women’s final Curtis was now struggling to
find any length or rhythm and a high error count gave Tom a 5/1 lead.
Although Curtis got the score back to 6/8 it was Tom who now looked in
control but having to work extremely hard for it. 11/8 and Tom had
levelled the match 2-2.
The fourth game may have taken its toll physically on Tom as his
movement slowed up but what should not be taken away was the near
impeccable play from Curtis in the fifth game. Good length and a mix of
cross court lob with low boasts and winning drop shots gave Tom no
chance. 7/1 to Curtis and he was not going to let this lead slip, he
duly won the game and match 11/3 to take the Men’s Dunlop u23 British
Open title.
All matches were of the highest quality, showcasing the high standard at
u23 level.
The players thanked the referees, hosts Roehampton Club and sponsors
Dunlop for putting on the event.
Men’s 3rd 4th Play-off:
Finnlay Withington bt Perry Malik 3/1. 5/11, 11/4, 11/7, 11/9.
Ladies 3rd / 4th Play-off:
Asia Harris bt Rana Ismail 3-0. 11/7, 11/9, 11/3.
|
|
