Jenny Duncalf v Laura Massaro Laura Massaro who came into this years Nationals on the back of her win in Cleveland USA last week, started the final in fine form winning the first set 11- 7, Duncalf playing a more controlled game in the second set levelling the match at 1-1 with a 11-4 playing the game in front of Massaro.
The third set saw Duncalf winning shots with her shot drop shots at the front of the court after opening up the court with her strong forearm to the back of the court, at 9-5 down Massaro changed her game to play the same as Duncalf with both players now fighting for control of the game from the middle of the court, Massaro not sure whether to stay at the back or front of the court allowed Duncalf to score 2 more drop shots to take the set 11-7.and go into the lead 2-1.
Massaro went into an early lead in the fourth set 6-3 hitting shots hard to the back of the court scoring drop shots to the front of the court with Duncalf waiting for the back of court shots, both players started playing a mixture of short and long shots sharing the scoring Massaro going into a 9-6 lead.
Massaro won the last two points with long hard shots to the back of the court to take the set 11-7 and level the match at 2-2.
Massaro went into a 3-0 lead in the deciding set using her drop shot to best effect; she then changed tactics to hit winning shots from the back of the court to go 6-1 in the lead.
Duncalf hit two unforced errors on return of serve to give Massaro a lead of 9-2 allowing Massaro to again change her game to shot drop shots at the front of the court to win the set 11-2 and become the first women from Lancashire to win the title.
Post Match Quotes
Laura Massaro’ I keep volleying and trying to keep in front of Jenny, Jenny was always dangerous,. I kept composed in the 5th set knowing I needed to keep playing in front to have a chance of winning the match; the crowd were fantastic supporting me throughout the match’
Jenny Duncalf ’The court was not as fast as usual today Laura plays slow I found it hard to get into a rhythm, in the last set I made a few error’s I was forcing the game too much’
ScorecardLaura Massaro v Jenny Duncalf
11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 2-11,
Audio interviews are available to be listened to at
www.kevintsport.net Report by Kevin Thompson
