Kennedy carries home hopes into the finals
There was plenty of home interest going into today’s semi-finals, with English representation in all four semis and a guarantee of at least one finalist.
In the event it will only be defending women’s champion Gina Kennedy flying the English flag on Sunday after the top seed came from a game down to beat compatriot Katie Malliff. Kennedy’s opponent in the final will be Egyptian third seed Salma Hany, who spoiled Jasmine Hutton’s birthday hope with a comprehensive straight-games win.
The men’s final will be contested by the top two seeds Aly Abou Eleinen and Leonel Cardenas, who both beat English opponents, Eleinen beating Jonah Bryant in four games while Cardenas ended the hopes of Declan James in three.
Read on for Reports, Reaction and Photos …
Women’s Semis :
[1] Gina Kennedy (Eng) 3-1 [7] Katie Malliff (Eng) 3-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4 (41m)
[3] Salma Hany (Egy) 3-0 [5] Jasmine Hutton (Eng) 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (36m)
Men’s Semis :
[1] Aly Abou Eleinen Egy) 3-1 [7] Jonah Bryant (Eng) 11-8, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9 (60m)
[2] Leonel Cardenas (Mex) 3-0 [4] Declan James (Eng) 11-7, 11-6, 12-10 (49m)
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Cardenas ends English interest in Men’s
[2] Leonel Cardenas (Mex) 3-0 [4] Declan James (Eng) 11-7, 11-6, 12-10 (49m)
In the final match of the day’s play, Mexico’s second seed Leonel Cardenas ended English hopes in the men’s event as he defeated fourth seed Declan James in straight games to reach a third final in four events.
The Mexican came through in three games in the quarter finals against George Parker but wouldn’t have expected the same result tonight as he took on the in-form James in a venue the Englishman knows all too well.
Cardenas showed his quality in the opening two games as he pinned James in the back corners and used his smooth, controlled movement to dominate the contest. The World No.16 knew that James would be looking for attacking opportunities around the middle but he starved the No.4 seed of chances and was clinical when given the chance to attack himself.
The third game, however, saw a shift in momentum as James dug deep and began to apply more pressure, earning himself two match balls in what turned into a gripping contest. But Cardenas held his nerve brilliantly, saving both and capitalising on his opportunity to close out the game 13-11.
Cardenas now takes on Aly Abou Eleinen in what will be his third final in his last four events. He’ll be hoping to go one better than the two finals that he’s featured in so far in 2025 and earn a second Bronze event win.
“It was a tough match. Dec is such a good player, so I’m happy to be through.” said Cardenas.
“At the end, we both wanted to win so there was a few more decisions. There were some situations where we didn’t want to hit each other but overall I thought it was a good match played in the right way.
“Myself and Aly have been playing for a long time. We’re the same age and have played a lot in juniors in the US so it’s nice to play him in a big final like this.
“My family is here with me. My Auntie lives here and my cousin too. They’re here to support me in the UK events so I feel a lot more comfortable when they’re here.”
Top seed Eleinen sees off Bryant in four
[1] Aly Abou Eleinen (Egy) 3-1 [7] Jonah Bryant (Eng) 11-8, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9 (60m)
In a high quality semi-final, Egyptian top seed Aly Abou Eleinen came through in four tough games against 19-year-old Jonah Bryant in front of a packed house at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.
Eleinen was busy around the middle of the court from the start of the match, cutting things off on the volley and gave Bryant no time at all on the ball. The Egyptian was being proactive in the front two corners and used his superb movement to constantly nullify Bryant’s attacks.
After scoring the opening game 11-8, Eleinen was unrelenting in his pressure and doubled his lead in no time, winning the second 11-5.
Bryant, spurred on by the home crowd, started to find answers against the Eleinen attacks and used his counter drop to drag the top seed further up the court. He started to force errors from the racket of the 25-year-old and suddenly found himself at 9-3 up in the third. He converted 11-5 to breathe more life in the contest.
The pair then locked in to many gruelling rallies with neither wanting to show how much the rallies were taking out of them. The tactical battle going on was applauded by the Manchester crowd as the game reached 9-9. The top seed pulled out arguably the drop shot of the match on the backhand side to earn a match ball, and after Bryant left a playable ball to be given a No Let, Eleinen was into the final.
“I had to do a lot of things right to get the win today. It’s not easy to plays such an up and coming player like Jonah especially here in his home country with the crowd behind him. There’s no obvious errors in his game, he’s really well rounded and it’s so difficult to win points. He came back at me in the third game and in the fourth too but I’m glad I kept my concentration to get through it in the end.
“I obviously didn’t want a fifth game. I told myself to keep solid, stay simple and just do the basics well. I’m happy to play either Leo or Dec tomorrow, I’m expecting a big battle between them two so hopefully they go for a long time.”
Kennedy comeback denies Malliff in all-English semi
[1] Gina Kennedy (Eng) 3-1 [7] Katie Malliff (Eng) 3-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4 (41m)
England #1 and top seed Gina Kennedy has reached a third consecutive Manchester Open final after she beat compatriot and surprise semi-finalist Katie Malliff in four tough games.
Malliff started unbelievably in the opening game, hunting the volley and using her superb hold to twist and turn the World No.7. In no time at all, the No.7 seed had seven game balls at 10-3 to send shock waves through the National Squash Centre and take the lead against Kennedy.
In typical Kennedy style, her response to adversity was strong. Kennedy knew that Malliff had put a lot into winning the opening game so longer rallies would work in her favour. Malliff was unable to structure the rallies as well as the first game which sent her deeper into the court. Kennedy thrived with the turn of momentum and won the next two games 11-5, 11-4 against a quickly fading Malliff.
It wasn’t long before Kennedy was racing towards the finish line. The defending champion showed no mercy in the fourth game and claimed an 11-4 win to keep her title defence alive and move into a third consecutive final.
“I’m really happy to be in the final. Katie had a great win yesterday against Farida [Mohamed]. She is the grittiest player to play against, every time she is on the end of a rally she still finds a way to win it. She made that so hard today so I’m so happy to be through.
“With Katie, I feel like I have the physical edge but when I’m in these long rallies, I sometimes don’t come out on top. But as I say, she’s digs so deep and finds a way to stay in those brutal rallies and in that first game she was reading me like a book and showed her class.
“She’s getting her first England senior cap and it’s fully deserved. She’s young but already at a good level so I can’t wait to be alongside her in an England shirt.”
Salma spoils Jazz’s Birthday plans
[3] Salma Hany (Egy) 3-0 [5] Jasmine Hutton (Eng) 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (36m)
Egypt’s Salma Hany was the first player to book her spot in the finals after she spoilt the birthday celebrations of England’s Jasmine Hutton.
Hany stormed out the blocks in the opening game, taking advantage of the short, sharp rallies and firing the ball short at any opportunity. She took the game 11-6 but Hutton was showing signs of growing into the match.
In a competitive second game, the pair traded blows across the middle of the court as both looked to get in front and showcase their attacking skills. Hutton led 8-7 in the second game but Hany fought back to win the next three points and set herself up with two game balls to take a crucial 2-0 lead. Hutton received a No Let at 10-9 much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Hutton again led in the third game at 5-3 but the pressure hitting of Hany was too fierce for the World No.18. Hany motored through the game and claimed the third 11-8 to move into her first final of the season and first ever at the Manchester Open.
“I’m very, very happy with the performance. Jazz has been playing very well recently and I knew it would be hard so I needed to prepare well so I’m very happy to be through in three.
“I was really prepared for a battle today. She had no pressure and I just wanted to perform well with being the higher seed. She’s been playing great so I just wanted to be at my best today ad I’m happy to play that well.”
