[3] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 3-0 Melissa Alves (FRA) 11-8, 11-3, 11-8 (33m)
First and third game are a bit similar: the French lady is up, seems in charge and control, 4/1, 5/2, but Satomi feels the danger – she fought two match balls here two years ago before winning not only the match but the whole event – and just scores 5 points in a row in the first, 4 in the third.
100% power by Satomi Watanabe 💥
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— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) March 25, 2026
The Japanese will take the first game 11/8 in 9m, and the third in 13m on the same score, the second being a complete miss out from Melissa, 6m game, 11/3.
I guess Melissa, having her dad in the crowd – very unusual – and having pushed Satomi last time, put far too much pressure on herself…
Satomi : “It was far from comfortable. I played her two years ago, and I was 2-0 down, so I knew it would be a tough one. Even though I was 2-0 up, I knew she was still so dangerous, so I wanted to just get off three.
“I actually play Surrey league here, and this is one of my home clubs, Roehampton too. But it feels like home and to have my coach, fiance and sister here – it’s a great week for me. So I’m just so excited to be here and in a place where I feel so comfortable.
“The Steel City Open was such a tough tournament for me, and I was so happy to win it. It was nice to see a lot of the things that I’ve been working on in training coming through in my tournament play, so credit to both my coaches, Alison (Waters) and my fiancé for that.”
