Kennedy & Ibrahim Close Out Quarters Day In Manchester

Georgina Kennedy and Youssef Ibrahim scored wins over Satomi Watanabe and Nathan Lake to complete the semi-final line-ups at the Manchester Open 2024.

Kennedy was facing Watanabe for the third time on the PSA World Tour in the penultimate match of the day. Kennedy held a 2-0 lead in the head-to-head and looked confident in the opening exchanges. The England No.1 was spurred on by the home crowd and drew on that support to push up the court and find openings in all areas of the court.

After winning the first two games both 11-8, Kennedy stormed through to a 8-4 lead in the fourth, looking certain to win in three games. Watanabe had other ideas and upped her game to win the next five points to earn a narrow lead at 9-8. The No.2 seed, Kennedy, regrouped and put together two strong rallies to earn a match ball, which she converted at the first time of asking.

“Obviously nerves come into it a lot. I mean she slots a lot of winners in matches, but I think I might get a few more tins from her on a big occasion, which makes sense, I do the same thing,” said Kennedy.

“Obviously, Satomi is so deceptive, but where I’ve seen her play and seen her play so much, I kind of can read what she is doing as much as she is reading what I’m doing.

“It’s so hard playing Satomi because she is so unorthodox, but in a really disruptive way, so to get through in three against a dangerous opponent like that is a very god day.

“I’m new to playing here, but I love it, I love being in front of a home crowd. Having Ben [Ford] here is such an advantage. At Platinum events I have felt at a bit of a disadvantage because I’m like the only top ten player who doesn’t have someone in their corner like every single tournament. So when Ben can be here, I’m a whole new person. I’m so grateful.”

Result:

[2] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 (38m)

Ibrahim Showcases Arsenal Of Weapons To End Home Hopes In Men’s Draw

In the final match of the day’s play, Egypt’s Youssef Ibrahim showcased his arsenal of weapons to the Manchester crowd as he ended home hopes in the men’s draw by beating England’s Nathan Lake in straight games.

Ibrahim led 10-7 in the opening game but was pegged back by an accurate Lake, who knew that precision was the name of the game against the talented Egyptian. Lake lost a game ball at 11-10 and was made to pay by the No.4 seed, who took the next two points to draw first blood in the tie.

Ibrahim looked to be enjoying himself on the all-glass court from the second game as his left-handed wizardry entertained the packed crowd. He doubled his lead by winning the second game 11-8 then moved through the gears in the third game to give Lake no hope of getting back in the contest.

“After the match yesterday I actually felt great,” said Ibrahim after his win.

“It was just that one lunge that I made, I’m really worried about it, and I was just trying to protect it as much as possible today, hoping that it will be better tomorrow.

“Other than that, the body is fine. Nathan is a great player, he is also technically very good, so he was going to make me move around the court today, so I had to be on my mettle. I’m happy to get the win in three.

“I was not 100% moving with my left leg and I was getting to the front corners a little later than I usually do. I mean every time he goes short, he cuts the ball really short so it stays up high on the front of the court. I was eventually moving better at the end, but you expect nothing less from Nathan.

“I don’t read left handers as well as I read right handers, because I train with right handers the whole time. Tactically it is different to play, especially when playing on the backhand side. I’m happy to play against left handers and I hope to see more left handers on tour.”

Result:

[4] Yousef Ibrahim (EGY) bt [8] Nathan Lake (ENG) 3-0: 13-11, 11-8, 11-9 (32m)