SA Open: Hutton and Elkabbani Win Joburg Titles

Ibrahim Elkabbani stayed perfect in PSA Tour finals, beating England’s Ben Smith to claim the men’s SA Open title, while Jasmine Hutton overcame Lucy Turmel in an all-English women’s final. 

Both finals pitted the top two seeds against one another, and there was little to choose between the two men in the opening rallies of their final. 

The ball was bouncing high and deep amid the warm court conditions and high altitude of Johannesburg, but it was Smith who produced the first highlight-reel moment, slamming a forehand winner into the nick at 4-4. 

The shot was described as ‘shot of the tournament’ on commentary, but the Englishman was unable to capitalise on the momentum gained, losing game one 11-8 on a stroke, after a no-let decision had handed Elkabbani two game balls. 

The referee’s decisions continued to dominate proceedings in game two, with both players growing frustrated at various points. 

Smith hit the floor at 7-6 up after tripping over his opponent while trying to play through, but a no-let was given, and the Egyptian would go on to win four of the next five rallies to close out game two. 

Game three would start in similar fashion with Smith taking a 5-3 lead among some more contentious decisions, but once again, Elkabbani fought back in style, claiming eight of the next nine points to wrap up a 3-0 victory in 48 minutes. 

The Egyptian has now won all five of the finals he’s played in on the PSA Tour, and speaking after the match, was delighted that the hard work he’d put in had paid off. 

“I’m out of words to be honest, it feels amazing,” he said. 

“The biggest title I’d won in the PSA [before now] was a 10k. This 15k is my biggest title, and I’m so happy to be here in the final, and to capture the title here. 

“I’m so happy with my performance, regardless of winning the tournament or not. I’m proud of myself to be honest, because I’ve been working hard in the last couple of weeks, so I’m happy the hard work I did finally paid off.” 

The women’s final was a familiar affair, with English duo Jasmine Hutton and Lucy Turmel going head-to-head for the sixth time on the PSA Tour, but having played against each other since the age of 11. 

As with the early rallies of the men’s final, there was very little between the players in the first few points, with a cross-court forehand winner from Turmel putting her 4-3 up. 

The pair continued to go toe-to-toe until 6-6, when Hutton produced a deft touch on a drop shot winner from the back of the court, a point that appeared to give her momentum, as she won the next four points to close out game one. 

Turmel hit a deep forehand drive on the opening point of game two to set the tone and give herself an early advantage, an advantage she would convert into four game balls at 10-6 up. 

But Hutton was in no mood to give up without a battle, saving the first two on stokes, before levelling at 10-10 on a ripping boast and then a delicate drop. 

Turmel squandered another game ball at 11-10 up, before Hutton turned the tide, giving herself a game ball at 12-11 up. She took it at the first time of asking, hitting an outstanding backhand volley winner to move within one game of glory. 

And she didn’t have to wait too long for that glory to arrive, playing with an ever-increasing spring in her step as game four wore on, closing it out 11-5 in just nine minutes to get her hands on the trophy. 

Speaking after the final, she said: “Me and Lucy go way back. She was actually my first finalist when I was 11 years old, so we go really far back. She’s a great friend but I’m really happy to win today. 

“This event’s been really cool and I’ve actually had such a good time. I’m really hoping that it can grow and show squash in South Africa to be even larger than it is today.”

Result: Men’s Final

[1] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) bt [2] Ben Smith (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-6 (49m)

Result: Women’s Final

[1] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bt [2] Lucy Turmel (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 13-11, 11-5 (35m)