Whitlock Shocks Defending Champion To Reach British National Championships Semi-Finals

Wales’ Emily Whitlock scored the only upset of the British National Squash Championships quarter-finals as she stunned two-time champion Jasmine Hutton at St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club.

Starting proceedings for the evening session, Whitlock looked sharper than the two-time champion as she controlled the tempo and, despite Hutton finding her targets in the latter stages of the game, held firm to take a 1-0 lead.

Hutton had the edge in game two as the she levelled the score at 1-1, but the World No.31 kept her composure throughout the third and fourth games and continued to play pin-point accurate squash. The 2019 runner-up won the match with a lob to claim victory over the defending champion.

Speaking after the match, Whitlock said: “I managed to keep my head when it was a bit nip-and-tuck. I could’ve done better mentally [in game two], but it’s 11 scoring, as soon as you let a few rallies go, it’s just gone.

“[Hutton] plays at a fast pace. I don’t like playing at a fast pace. I like taking my time. I lift, I change the pace. It’s not anything I would do specifically for Jasmine. I just play how i like to play.”

On her semi-final match-up with No.2 seed Sarah-Jane Perry, the Welshwoman said, “I haven’t played [Perry] for almost a year now. It would be nice to play her again and see the comparisons.”

In another exciting contest, No.3 seed Marwan ElShorbagy reached the semi-finals on his debut British Nationals competition after defeating World No.50 Declan James.

It was a close-fought first game. James earned game balls at 10-9 and 11-10, but the former World No.3 took the game after his opponent gave away some quick-fire points. James was dominant in game two and quickly accumulated points to restore parity in the match.

ElShorbagy looked a lot more aggressive in the third game, placing his shots well and managing to keep James moving throughout the rallies to retake the lead in the match, before pushing on to win the fourth game 11-5 and earn his spot in the semi-finals. The World No.10 spoke highly of his opponent after the match.

“Declan [James] is a great player. I’m happy to see him slowly getting back into it. I’ve seen his progress and I hope he gets back to the top 20 because I know he’s got the squash for it. He beat [Karim Abdel] Gawad at the London Classic so I was aware how dangerous he could be.”

Elsewhere, favourites progressed including defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy alongside fellow No.1 seed Georgina Kennedy. Welsh duo Tesni Murphy and Joel Makin won their matches to join their compatriot Whitlock in the next stage of the competition.

Greg Lobban is Scotland’s last remaining representative in the event after defeating England’s Curtis Malik, and No.2 seed Sarah-Jane Perry reached her seventh British Nationals semi-final after beating Georgia Adderley.

The semi-finals of the British Nationals will take place at 16:00 (GMT+1) tomorrow. Action from the glass court will be shown live on SQUASHTV.

For updates on the British Nationals, follow England Squash on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Results – Quarter-Finals: 2024 British National Squash Championships

Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Katie Malliff (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (38m)
Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) bt. Patrick Rooney (ENG) 3-1: 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (45m)
Tesni Murphy (WAL) bt. Lucy Turmel (ENG)3-0: 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 (41m)
Greg Lobban (SCO) bt. Curtis Malik (ENG) 3-1: 7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 (57m)
Emily Whitlock (WAL) bt. Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 3-1: 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 (56m)
Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) bt. Declan James (ENG) 3-1: 13-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5 (58m)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt. Georgia Adderley (SCO) 3-1: 11-7, 8-11, 11-1, 11-6 (46m)
Joel Makin (WAL) bt. Rory Stewart (SCO) 3-0: 11-0, 11-4, 11-4 (29m)

Schedule – Semi-Finals: 2024 British National Squash Championships

16.00 – [1] Gina Kennedy (Eng) v [3/4] Tesni Murphy (Wal)
17.00 – [1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Eng) v [3/4] Greg Lobban (Sco)
18.30 – [2] Sarah-Jane Perry (Eng) v [3/4] Emily Whitlock (Wal)
19.30 – [2] Joel Makin (Wal) v [3/4] Marwan ElShorbagy (Eng)