[2] Gina Kennedy (ENG) 3-1 [4] Nada Abbas (EGY) 11-5, 11-13, 11-5, 11-2 (49m)
Nada will start to have a (good) reputation for saving crucial points. Yesterday, she saved 3 match balls against Melissa to finally win the match, and today, she saved 4 game balls in the second to clinch that game 13/11 in 15 long minutes.
She seemed in complete control in the 3rd, 3/0 but maybe yesterday’s tense and intense quarter final put a bit of ciment in the legs today? Out of the blue, Gina stormed back and won it very comfortably, 11/5 in 11m.
Nada was outplayed in the 4th, 5/1, 11/2 in 8m. Very happy crowd, very happy coach (Miles Jenkins was replacing Ben Ford who had been there all week in Gina’s corner, while it’s interesting to note that, like yesterday, Hania stayed on the side right after her match to support her compatriot…
Gina
“It feels amazing. I’ve never been in the final of a Gold-level event before. This is new territory for me. I’ve got my two best friends in the world here, so to makes such a difference. I thought it was actually such a good match. I was 10-7 up in the second, it’s easy for me to start panicking.
“But Miles [Jenkins] was really good with me in the game break. He told me I was playing really good squash and that I just needed to stick with the game plan. I’m really really happy.
“Honestly, my friends and family have been through absolutely everything with me. Obviously, the lows can be pretty low, and they’re there to lift me up. It’s so good to be able to celebrated the highs with them.
“Having everyone here is amazing. So to win and get to a final in front of them is really special.”
