[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) 3-1 [8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2 (48m)
I was impressed by two things tonight.
1 How Olivia strengthened her squash, making it “straight to the point”, and finding some superb accurate squash in the four corners.
2 How Gina has changed her game, and added so many layers to her squash. She takes the ball much quicker, she is far more assertive, she attacks every time she has the opportunity, and works very hard to create those opportunities.
Although she was dominated in both the first two games, the English girl kept fighting for every single point, and managed to have her cute nose in front for most of the whole game, 6/3, 6/6, 8/8, and set up 2 game balls: 10/8.
And as you do, she made two errors at the end of very long and intense rallies. 10/10. Did she dispair, and doubt? She didn’t. A perfect crosscourt that dies at the back and a stroke later, 12/10 in 12m.
She so deserved it.
Still, Olivia felt the danger, and never gave her another sniff, and in 7m, she closed the match, 11/2.
Superb battle, loved it me.
Olivia : “That was a really enjoyable match. Gina is one of my best friends on tour,” Weaver said after the match. “We practise all the time together, train together a lot, so I always know it’s going to be a physical, accurate, patient battle with her, and I think we were both out here playing pretty similar styles.
“I just wanted to come out here and put in a stronger performance than I did earlier this week and I’m really pleased with the changes I’ve made in the last day, and the mindset change to get past Gina – I had to play really well.
“I think the previous match was a huge wake-up call of the squash that I have to produce to beat these girls. I just tried to keep things simple, not overcomplicate my game plan and I think I did a much better job of that tonight.
“I can’t wait to play Nour ElSherbini again. Obviously, it was a heartbreaker last year. I was in a great position in that match. She’s a great champion, one of the best to play. I mean, I think everyone just walks away from that match wishing they could play it again and get another shot at it, so I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
