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00:00:00and it's knocked him back quite a lot but he's that type of player that he'll throw everything
00:00:03at him here it's a home crowd for him you know being in the uk and they'll get behind him
00:00:08and
00:00:09you know he'll be governing everything now this was the two love uh victory uh in that in that
00:00:16first phase i mean it was look at the score line vanessa it was 11-4 but then mustafa responded
00:00:21and mustafa had the pressure of going back to world number one here so mustafa needed to win
00:00:27this this took him back to world number one so there's a few other factors that were certainly
00:00:31in the back of the mind of mustafa asal and then obviously winning on going on to win the
00:00:36optasia championship and be the defending champion here but last meeting on the head to heads is a
00:00:41win for joel makin it was uh it was mustafa asal retiring at the tour finals but retiring at two
00:00:46love down retiring at two love down and joel makin played again some of the best squash i've seen him
00:00:51play he deserved to win those world tour finals in canada and that was setting him up for the new
00:00:56season and then he got knocked back by these these different things with illness and then injury
00:01:01with the knee injuries sustained in hong kong so he's playing catch-up a bit like diego ilyas
00:01:05um but he looks like he's pretty strong but his squash has got to be really really positive and more
00:01:12importantly he's got to be accurate and we've been talking more about who can take that first game
00:01:16against mustafa asal rather than who can beat him um joel makin could he be the first
00:01:22pardon could he could joel makin be the one that takes the first game i hope so i mean you
00:01:27know i
00:01:28mean mustafa said it yesterday i mean he's just he wants to get results he's not trying to beat
00:01:32everyone three of course he wants to win three love but see i don't think he's going to put too
00:01:36much pressure on himself about about that record he's just got to get results and win championships
00:01:40actually muhammad el shabagi came quite close to winning that third game yesterday uh but in the
00:01:45third sorry the third semi-final but the women's coming up first uh before that match it is georgina
00:01:51kennedy the english uh number one number four seed and she is up against the warrior princess here for
00:01:57the first time norrell shabini and it's a very very extensive head-to-head that she faces against
00:02:03shabini never beaten her before no she hasn't she had a tremendous battle with her at the british
00:02:08open three years ago where she ended up losing in five to shabini but shabini's level that she's
00:02:14responding with at the moment is pretty pretty impressive i mean shabini's coming off that windy
00:02:20city open win where she got through the battle with el hamami and also amina orfi it's the first
00:02:27optasia championships for el shabini and she's looking to get back the world number one spot for
00:02:32obvious reasons and set herself up for the world championships which is coming you know she wants
00:02:36to surpass nicole david's record so she's coming up against a very informed uh norrell shabini and she's
00:02:43also been going through herself some technical changes with rob martin and that you know that's
00:02:48that's now coming into a game but she's still got a lot more to do on that so she's still
00:02:53evolving her
00:02:53game so i mean i'll be i'll be fascinated to see how those technical changes hold up against the
00:02:58pressure from norrell shabini yeah she looks so rejuvenated like she's enjoying her squash again
00:03:03she's had some health issues over the past seems like she's in a good place right now kennedy yeah she
00:03:07is ben ford will be here as a mainstay coach and has known her since she was a very young
00:03:12girl so
00:03:12she'll have great support she is the english number one and she's gonna have a real go at
00:03:17norrell shabini well she'll have a lot of support gina kennedy taking on the warrior princess let's
00:03:22head down to the mc tom bushel please welcome everybody to the glass courts for our second
00:03:31women's semi-final of this afternoon's semi-final day the optasia championships a 13-time psa tour
00:03:39champion from england the world wind gina kennedy
00:03:54and ladies and gentlemen now please welcome a 47-time psa tour champion it's the warrior princess
00:04:02from egypt norrell shabini
00:04:22so georgina kennedy english number four seed taking on norrell shabini the number two seed from egypt
00:04:31i'm vanessa atkinson and joining me for the second women's semi-final is paul johnson good evening
00:04:37dj good evening vanessa cracking afternoon and evening the squash so far i don't think this will
00:04:44disappoint either
00:04:48so gina kennedy there on the right of your screen
00:04:5128 years old now and she stormed up the rankings when she first came onto the tour after graduating
00:05:00from harvard it's an incredible rise up the rankings
00:05:06got to a height of number five has dropped back slightly since then has had a few issues
00:05:12last season especially but been looking good so far this week
00:05:1813 titles to her name it's been a little while since she's won a title but two finals
00:05:23quite recently she's opted to play some of the slightly smaller events which has certainly given
00:05:29her a lot of match play possibly to practice the things that she's been picking up from rod martin
00:05:34those technical changes pj 100 i mean as you see with so many players when they switch allegiances
00:05:40and go and work with other coaches it's it's always an interesting watch for us to see how those
00:05:45things or how long those kind of changes take to filter into their games very prominent technical
00:05:51changes with gina kennedy you see a much higher hand position on the grip
00:05:55it's a much kind of firmer more cocked wrist meaning that the angle between the wrist and the
00:06:01racket head is much more acute so she's definitely hitting the ball better her ball control has
00:06:07improved the real test here will be can she read and stem the dominations and the kind of the
00:06:14control of the core of el shabini she's tested her in the past she hasn't had much joy on the
00:06:22actual score front but she's certainly given uh shabini a good run for her money well norel shabini
00:06:27number two seed back at number two in the world
00:06:34she dropped down further than we would have expected but uh back up there and very very
00:06:40close to retaining that world number one spot a lot of eyes on herself and hanya el hamami this week
00:06:4947 titles out of 76 finals an incredible record 30 years old so still plenty left
00:06:56for the warrior princess she's an eight-time world champion four-time british open winner of course
00:07:02three titles so far this season which is relatively conservative
00:07:08for the uh for the warrior princess it certainly is by her standards but she certainly seems to have
00:07:13a bit of a pep in her step she's had a decent start to uh the 2026 calendar year and
00:07:19i feel like
00:07:19everything is geared towards this world champions coming up in just a few months time so she'll be
00:07:25working closely with gregory gautier and they'll be looking to taper and uh really kind of peak for you
00:07:31know the world champs and the british open which will be closing our uh closing our season out this
00:07:36year but um as i said it's not been a great performance or a great look for the head-to
00:07:43-heads
00:07:43for kennedy against el shabini 11 love is the deficit there have been a couple of five setters in there
00:07:51but
00:07:51for the most part it's a lot of three loves as well so you'd have to say that going into
00:07:56this match even
00:07:57though physically there's not much between the 57 minutes kennedy and 56 minutes shabini um they've
00:08:03the odds would probably be quite heavily weighed that way of shabini yeah kennedy coming through
00:08:09really really well against a tricky opponent in farida muhammad in her quarter final and a free go
00:08:15really it's been uh close to a year since they last played each other at that world championships
00:08:23in chicago
00:08:29so the pressure firmly on the shoulders of the warrior princess
00:08:34i won't be taking this lightly as you said they've had a few battles in the past
00:08:42this trademark solo practice girl shabini before she
00:08:48makes her way off of the court somebody else that was a massive advocate of the solo practice was the
00:08:52legendary jonah barrington we know that jonah's tuned in down there in somerset watching this one
00:08:59ashley smith in charge of the second women's semi-final with roy gingell in the vr position
00:09:09jonah has made it very public that uh in his opinion noral shabini is the greatest female player of all
00:09:15time
00:09:16which is a massive statement for her
00:09:20yeah it's difficult to dispute really isn't it it is difficult to dispute but uh
00:09:25jonah obviously a massive fan of the game but also 2026 women's semi-finals match
00:09:31georgina kennedy of england to serve
00:09:35laura el shabini of egypt to receive
00:09:43best of five games
00:10:02and we're off
00:10:05certainly be a lot of support in the crowd for kennedy
00:10:08and that's a little bit of a jammy start but she'll take anything she can get i'm sure
00:10:26gina kennedy prior to moving across to do some work with rodney martin spent many many years under
00:10:32the guidance of ben ford former professional player from kent very very talented junior back
00:10:38in the day and uh ben who's out of uh southeast london in the bexley area will be here
00:10:44this week i'm sure helping gina throughout the week terrific relationship with those two have
00:10:50had over the years yeah he's been here every match so far be very surprised if he's not here for
00:10:58the big semi-final
00:11:11uh
00:11:18referees will have a lot less to do i think in this encounter than the previous one yeah i think
00:11:23the
00:11:23roy jingell can have a bit of a rest hopefully in the as the vr they've just been spotted out
00:11:27the back jason jason foster
00:11:29roy having a bit of a lay down after that one
00:11:45down lovely
00:11:50There is Ben Ford next to Stuart Crawford
00:11:53and Basim
00:11:55the tournament sponsor
00:11:58alongside James Robbins
00:11:59another talented junior
00:12:01from England
00:12:03back in the day
00:12:32that's a terrific shot from Shabini
00:12:34she actually leaps off of the ground
00:12:35as she takes in this forehand volley
00:12:37boast
00:12:393-0
00:12:40check this out here
00:12:43you can see with Gina's movement there
00:12:45she's looking to perhaps have to cover
00:12:47that front right
00:12:48in the roll of the wrist
00:13:03big challenge for Kennedy
00:13:05she's such a good mover
00:13:08but really struggles
00:13:09to read
00:13:10little Shabini with the hold
00:13:12and that stop start
00:13:13not alone is she?
00:13:14she's not alone
00:13:15she's not alone
00:13:16but I think when you
00:13:17especially when you take
00:13:18someone's big weapon away
00:13:19Kennedy
00:13:20you know she wants to be moving
00:13:21but she wants to be constantly moving
00:13:23and not stopped
00:13:24yeah absolutely
00:13:275-3
00:13:29she likes momentum
00:13:31she likes
00:13:32a bit of a flow
00:13:33and a rhythm to the movement
00:13:34but if there's anybody
00:13:36that can break
00:13:36a player's movement up
00:13:39there's no way
00:13:39there's no way
00:13:40there's no way
00:13:40there's no way
00:13:41there's no way
00:13:41there's no way
00:13:41especially on this backhand side
00:13:44it's just such a lovely
00:13:45early racket position
00:13:46a lot of hold
00:13:47and time
00:13:47on the ball
00:13:48giving herself options
00:13:49as well
00:13:503
00:13:53well another winner
00:13:54with the angle there
00:14:07big split step
00:14:08before she was able
00:14:09to set off there again
00:14:21I mean it's
00:14:22yeah that throws off
00:14:23the accuracy as well
00:14:277-3
00:14:42down
00:14:43and out
00:14:474-7
00:15:14that's clever again
00:15:15from Shabini
00:15:15can you see the way
00:15:16that she's shaped
00:15:17with the body
00:15:18it looked as though
00:15:18Crosscourt was the only
00:15:19option
00:15:20and then just the
00:15:21adaptation of the swing
00:15:24managing to take that
00:15:25down the forehand wall
00:15:26for the winner
00:15:27oh dear
00:15:35I mean that's just
00:15:36so severe
00:15:37for Shabini
00:15:389-4
00:15:49oh that's brilliant
00:15:50oh that's brilliant
00:15:50I mean any questions
00:15:52over the movement
00:15:53of El Shabini
00:15:54some may have
00:15:55some may have
00:15:56I mean
00:15:56that was ridiculous
00:15:57it was ridiculous
00:15:57wasn't it
00:15:58Kennedy would have been
00:15:59really happy with that
00:15:59most people would
00:16:02it's come back with interest
00:16:06six game balls
00:16:07for the number two seed
00:16:09she looks sharp
00:16:11she looks sharp
00:16:11she looks so sharp
00:16:12she looks so sharp
00:16:13here Shabini
00:16:15what a start
00:16:17for the Warrior Princess
00:16:21already created that doubt
00:16:23with Kennedy's movement
00:16:27six minutes
00:16:28more El Shabini
00:16:30takes the first game
00:16:3111-4
00:16:32one love lead
00:16:33for the Warrior Princess
00:16:40well that certainly
00:16:41does send out a message
00:16:42Noel Shabini
00:16:43absolutely flying
00:16:45out of the gate here
00:16:46six minutes
00:16:47dispatching of
00:16:48Gina Kennedy
00:16:49in the first
00:16:50the English player
00:16:51didn't play particularly
00:16:52badly
00:16:52but it was all about
00:16:54Shabini
00:16:54dominating the middle
00:16:56of the court
00:16:57movement is absolutely
00:16:59on point
00:16:59from Shabini
00:17:01firing in winners
00:17:02from all areas
00:17:03of the court
00:17:03making life
00:17:04so difficult
00:17:05for Kennedy
00:17:06great start
00:17:07from the Warrior Princess
00:17:17play will resume
00:17:18in 60 seconds
00:17:25well it would be
00:17:26fascinating to be able
00:17:27to hear the advice
00:17:28there from Ben Ford
00:17:33certainly a conundrum
00:17:44play will resume
00:17:46in 30 seconds
00:17:49crowd would love
00:17:50Kennedy to get into this
00:17:54it's going to take a big
00:17:55effort from the English
00:17:56player
00:18:0215 seconds
00:18:0415 seconds
00:18:0415 seconds
00:18:0815 seconds
00:18:0915 seconds
00:18:0915 seconds
00:18:13Del Shabini leads
00:18:14one game to love
00:18:18love all
00:18:26game two
00:18:27game two
00:18:35Chabini who we
00:18:37sometimes associate
00:18:39with a slightly
00:18:40slow start
00:18:41been none of that
00:18:43so far this week
00:18:43she's looked sharp
00:18:44in every match
00:18:45and it's the back
00:18:55hand side of the court
00:18:56just so many options
00:18:59so many weapons
00:19:00for El Shabini
00:19:02it's not just the speed
00:19:03that's taken away
00:19:04obviously Kennedy
00:19:05she's incredibly fit
00:19:07works very very hard
00:19:09and she can't get any
00:19:10physicality into it
00:19:11she can't extend the
00:19:12rallies
00:19:13that will be the aim
00:19:14and out
00:19:16one all
00:19:27has been closed
00:19:28it's cara
00:19:42we
00:19:42have to be
00:19:42young
00:19:45and
00:19:45we
00:19:45can't
00:19:45catch
00:19:45on
00:19:46it's
00:19:47happy
00:19:47now
00:19:48photos
00:19:48and
00:19:48music
00:19:48photos
00:19:48photos
00:19:50better rally here from Kennedy
00:19:52keeping herself in front
00:19:55it's done well there
00:19:56it's a good spell here from Kennedy
00:19:58two good rallies back to back
00:20:00just decreased the pace slightly there
00:20:02just making sure that
00:20:04she doesn't give anything loose around the front
00:20:08trying to deprive El Shabini of time on the ball
00:20:22out
00:20:25and out
00:20:27two all
00:20:59she's actually wrong-footed El Shabini
00:21:02as she played the backhand post there Kennedy
00:21:04just clicked in the top of the tin though
00:21:06three two
00:21:07seems to be taking Shabini on at the front of the court
00:21:09a bit more in this second game
00:21:30wonderful
00:21:31I know
00:21:35three all
00:21:48four
00:21:49three
00:22:16that's good
00:22:17she's determined not to give up that
00:22:20tee position
00:22:21Kennedy
00:22:22trying to take everything as early as possible
00:22:41another point on the board
00:22:43just clipping Shabini in the swing
00:22:55fantastic response
00:22:57Kennedy after such a dominant first game
00:23:03and out
00:23:07much more proactive in the second game here
00:23:10Gina Kennedy
00:23:10four six
00:23:12everything that little bit quicker
00:23:14just upsetting the flow and the rhythm for Shabini now
00:23:36down
00:23:37and out
00:23:41seven four
00:23:47and Shabini just under that little bit more pressure and she's human
00:23:51she will make errors
00:23:58she will also hit a lot of winners
00:24:01there's some outrageous ones at that
00:24:29come at her
00:24:31it's unbelievable court
00:24:33coverage from Kennedy scurrying around oh she's earned the point somehow
00:24:40not sure how she's won that Kennedy scrappy but effective eight five and she
00:24:47won't mind that at all
00:25:07and out six eight
00:25:23yeah and it's into the wheelhouse for Shabini loves that backhand volley area
00:25:30mounting a little bit of a comeback here to one point adrift
00:25:38eight
00:25:39oh
00:25:40oh
00:25:40oh
00:25:40oh
00:25:42oh
00:25:44oh
00:25:57oh
00:25:59oh
00:26:01oh
00:26:02oh
00:26:06oh
00:26:06wow
00:26:08Shabini just questioning whether that clipped the 10
00:26:11about
00:26:12it was very very close
00:26:14eight
00:26:16can you just check it?
00:26:18you can check it if you want
00:26:19we can't check like we can't check like course
00:26:22oh
00:26:22that is as close as it gets
00:26:25very close
00:26:38no left
00:26:39no left
00:26:40player review Kennedy on the no left decision
00:26:42call service please
00:26:43well forced to go the long way around a little bit
00:26:46let's just have a look
00:26:51the line taken out slightly by Shabini
00:26:55not really
00:26:56I don't see
00:26:57not on purpose
00:26:58no it's just a natural move
00:27:01as she's playing the ball the momentum and body shift is going forwards
00:27:05not sure what else Shabini is supposed to do there
00:27:11yes left decision overruled Kennedy has two reviews remaining
00:27:15nine eight
00:27:16it was just because of your movement off the ball you just needed to give access to your opponent
00:27:22yes
00:27:30nine eight
00:27:58oh wow
00:28:00a rare loose ball from El Shabini
00:28:04very nicely put away
00:28:06that ball control into the front is massively improved
00:28:13two game balls
00:28:15for Gina Kennedy to draw level
00:28:17she's done well here
00:28:19she's hanging tough Kennedy
00:28:26oh I just did
00:28:45she's played it so many times but
00:28:51nine ten
00:28:52just can't quite read it in time
00:28:56yeah you see the split step
00:28:58unable to recover
00:28:59unable to recover
00:29:00one game ball remaining
00:29:00for the English player
00:29:10yeah I got the full treatment
00:29:11she actually read the boast that time
00:29:13not taking any chances there
00:29:14a player left to win by two points
00:29:17a player left to win by two points
00:29:34down
00:29:35oh she was nowhere near that
00:29:37and out
00:29:4011-10
00:29:42game ball
00:29:44well
00:29:44fortune favours the brave
00:29:46and she's certainly been brave this game
00:29:47third game ball for Kennedy
00:30:14unbelievable kick up from Kennedy
00:30:15oh she's gone for it
00:30:22yes
00:30:23yeah I think she
00:30:2411-10
00:30:25she was kind of through to play it
00:30:27game ball
00:30:28should have played it was in her interest to go through and play that straight
00:30:30yeah
00:30:30she's gonna review it
00:30:33Shabini just really made an effort to clear
00:30:36I felt like by the time Kennedy was ready to play it
00:30:39it was kind of there to play
00:30:45definitely a let but
00:30:47possibly a stroke
00:30:48Kennedy looking for the stroke
00:30:50crowd thought it was a stroke
00:30:53it'll be a big cheer if it is a stroke
00:31:02yes let's decision upheld
00:31:04El Shabini has one review remaining
00:31:0711-10
00:31:08game ball
00:31:37she's done it
00:31:3912-10
00:31:40massive roar from the crowd
00:31:41thank you Kennedy
00:31:42really getting behind Kennedy
00:31:46one level
00:31:47and deservedly so
00:31:48fantastic first
00:31:49er second game there
00:31:53really really gutsy effort
00:31:5613 minute second game
00:31:58Gina Kennedy
00:31:59number 4 seed takes it in the tie break
00:32:0112-10
00:32:01and draws level
00:32:02at 1-1
00:32:07well
00:32:07terrific performance from
00:32:09Gina Kennedy
00:32:09turning around this
00:32:11second women's semi-final
00:32:12after a pretty much perfect
00:32:14first game from El Shabini
00:32:16Gina Kennedy just upped her own tempo
00:32:18she took the game to Shabini
00:32:20took her on at the front of the court
00:32:21and it upset the rhythm and the flow of El Shabini
00:32:24some lengthy rallies now making the game a little bit more physical
00:32:28which would aid and help
00:32:30Gina Kennedy
00:32:31one game apiece
00:32:33things getting very very spicy out there now
00:32:43play will resume in 60 seconds
00:32:49well Rally 28
00:32:51a joint initiative between the PSA
00:32:54the WSF and the squash united foundation
00:32:58and looking to create a fund
00:33:02to support grassroot squash
00:33:05in all sorts of ways
00:33:07global initiative
00:33:07if you want to know more
00:33:09you can scan the QR code
00:33:11or you can head over
00:33:12to rally28squash.com
00:33:15play will resume in 30 seconds
00:33:16just trying to grow the sport
00:33:18grassroots levels
00:33:19and bring some more participation into the game
00:33:22maiden voyage into LA 2028
00:33:25looking to hopefully make it a mainstay event in the Olympics
00:33:2850 seconds
00:33:30so it's great to see this initiative taking place
00:33:39one game all
00:33:43Kennedy to serve
00:33:47Lovell
00:33:58so everything to play for PJ
00:34:04there's a bit of a pep in the step now from El Shabini
00:34:06she's actually injecting the pace of her own
00:34:09yeah she won't be happy with losing that second game
00:34:12after the dominance of the first
00:34:21she's upping the ante here
00:34:23too long
00:34:24frustration there for
00:34:25too long
00:34:26for Kennedy as well
00:34:40just feel that Shabini's going a little bit short
00:34:42quite early on in the rallies here
00:34:45not necessarily building
00:34:46she got so much reward for it didn't she in the first
00:34:49yeah
00:34:50Kennedy just starting to read things a little bit better
00:34:54slightly higher tee position
00:35:00she's done it again
00:35:01she did the same thing in the first game to win the game
00:35:06she's up there
00:35:06she's fully stretched
00:35:07she's into position a lot quicker there Shabini
00:35:10it's just not a shot that looks on
00:35:12at all from that position
00:35:16yeah
00:35:33down there
00:35:37and out
00:35:391-3
00:35:41it's a slightly unusual tactic here from Shabini for me Vanessa
00:35:45normally see a bit more variation in height
00:35:47but she's almost taking Kennedy on at her own game here
00:35:52feel like Kennedy loves this but this pace thick and fast
00:36:05out
00:36:09for one
00:36:11the
00:36:11and out
00:36:12yeah
00:36:12and out
00:36:20on
00:36:21on
00:36:22on
00:36:24on
00:36:47That's nice.
00:36:49Getting a bit inaccurate, really, through the middle of the court from Kennedy Shabini.
00:36:54Quite a few options there.
00:37:22I think that's a good tactic.
00:37:25Kennedy, to keep that pace quick, trying to deprive Shabini of time, but she has to keep
00:37:33the accuracy level.
00:37:35Out.
00:37:37That's dropped in this third.
00:37:397-1.
00:37:58That was very close, wasn't it?
00:38:03Certainly we've seen improvements in the volleys for Gina Kennedy, a bit more of a compact swing,
00:38:09and she's taking that ball in with more accuracy, a bit more punch.
00:38:132-3.
00:38:51It's nice.
00:38:52Nice, just breaking up the play now, isn't he, Silvini?
00:38:588-2.
00:39:00Starting to toy with the movement of Kennedy.
00:39:17Straight-2 now, Silvini.
00:39:22Just a bit late to read things and it throws off the balance.
00:39:33Huge lead now in this third game.
00:39:38The expected response from the world number two.
00:39:418 game balls.
00:39:46Request for a new ball, possibly.
00:39:48Vanessa, would that be in Gina's interest, do you feel?
00:39:51Yeah, certainly wouldn't be surprised.
00:39:57Down.
00:39:59And out.
00:40:01She has to request a new ball before she exits the court, so we'll be on the lookout.
00:40:08Still seven game balls remaining.
00:40:10We'll be watching.
00:40:18Yeah, there it is.
00:40:19Immediately, the hand goes up.
00:40:21Shevini leads two games to one.
00:40:23Miss Kennedy has requested a new ball, which she is entitled to at the end of the third game.
00:40:29The players will warm it up when they return to court.
00:40:32So there will be a little bit more life in that ball as we head into the fourth game.
00:40:36Seven-minute third game.
00:40:38Nor El Shabini responds, takes it 11-3 and leads by two games to one.
00:40:47Impressive third game from El Shabini.
00:40:49You can tell that she was a little bit ticked off after losing that second.
00:40:53Fair play to Kennedy, though.
00:40:55She played brilliantly in the second, but in that third, it was more about Gina Kennedy just struggling to take
00:41:00control of the game.
00:41:02It was Shabini finding a little bit of a better length and utilizing a little bit more height as well.
00:41:07Some more variation to just upset the rhythm and the pace of Kennedy.
00:41:11Request for a new ball has gone in, so that may help the English player.
00:41:142-1 lead for Shabini.
00:41:33Play will resume in 60 seconds.
00:42:03The play will resume in 30 seconds.
00:42:1715 seconds.
00:42:23New ball to be warmed up.
00:42:34Kennedy will be looking to just inject a little bit more pace into the game.
00:42:38Maybe extend the rallies.
00:42:49You made the point earlier, Vanessa, when Gina Kennedy can.
00:42:54I feel like it would be in her interest to just try and extend some of these rallies and make
00:42:58it physical.
00:42:59Easier said than done because Shabini doesn't want to get caught into those kind of rallies.
00:43:05So if she can keep some of those balls coming back in play, which will be helped with the bouncy
00:43:10ball.
00:43:10It may just start to test Shabini a little bit.
00:43:14She seems to have good range on this court now.
00:43:16She seems comfortable.
00:43:18She's finding her targets and settled down now.
00:43:30Let's see the tournament sponsor Basim in the middle.
00:43:34Black gilets alongside James Robbins.
00:43:38and she coaches Basim
00:43:55El Shabini leads
00:43:58two games to one
00:43:59El Shabini to serve
00:44:06Lovell
00:44:11So heading into game four
00:44:14Shabini with a 2-1 lead
00:44:31Yes, that
00:44:32Ooh
00:44:35It didn't look as though
00:44:36Go on, sorry
00:44:36So I was just going to say
00:44:37it looked like there was a cross-court on
00:44:39No, the entire front wall wasn't available
00:44:41All right, Miss Q
00:44:50Shabini pulling that ball back
00:44:51towards herself
00:45:00Yes, that decision upheld
00:45:01Kennedy has one review remaining
00:45:04Yeah, it was just for safety
00:45:06We felt that you did have a cross-court
00:45:08Lovell
00:45:09Not sure about that one
00:45:10Yeah
00:45:28I've got the full treatment
00:45:29Kennedy going for the cross-court
00:45:31fine volley, Nick
00:45:31not quite finding the target
00:45:33Shabini
00:45:34pouncing onto the hard-low cross-court
00:45:38The attention to detail required
00:45:40for Kennedy on every shot
00:45:42You can see the alertness
00:45:48She knows she can't afford to put a foot wrong
00:45:52with shot selection or shot quality
00:45:55And out
00:45:571-0
00:46:09Lovely
00:46:10Nice little hold
00:46:11Yeah, showed the threat
00:46:13of the forehand volley drop there
00:46:15Last minute
00:46:16just flicking cross-court
00:46:17Lovely
00:46:19Nice variation there
00:46:20from Kennedy
00:46:22Certainly seeing a few
00:46:23solities and changes
00:46:25in the game of
00:46:27Gina Kennedy
00:46:46And out
00:46:503-2
00:46:50To all
00:47:10Down
00:47:13Again, just going quite short
00:47:14quite early on in the rally
00:47:17Shabini
00:47:17Something that she switched up
00:47:19in the second
00:47:21Third, sorry
00:47:29And out
00:47:313-0
00:47:32So many different options
00:47:33to cover there
00:47:39Not having it all her own way though
00:47:41at the beginning of this fourth
00:47:48The groan
00:47:50from Kennedy
00:47:514-3
00:47:54She's done me again
00:48:05Down
00:48:05Why not?
00:48:07And out
00:48:09For all
00:48:12A bit of a wry smile
00:48:13from Shabini
00:48:14knowing the quality
00:48:15of the serve
00:48:16wasn't quite
00:48:17good enough
00:48:26That's quick from Shabini
00:48:32Hand out
00:48:34And again
00:48:35that shot
00:48:35just not quite
00:48:365-4
00:48:37On target
00:48:38And there's the
00:48:40punishment
00:48:42And there's the punishment
00:48:59That's clever
00:49:00Hand out
00:49:03Very quick footwork
00:49:04Just to get herself
00:49:05out of the way
00:49:06and take that down
00:49:07the forehand side
00:49:08of the court
00:49:09Good hands
00:49:10Yeah, again
00:49:10that shorter
00:49:12backswing
00:49:12She's able to do that
00:49:14that kind of shot
00:49:15now
00:49:16Whip that racket through
00:49:216-5
00:49:23How's it
00:49:24in front
00:49:24Non-move
00:49:25on
00:49:257th
00:49:304-3
00:49:3110th
00:49:315-3
00:49:327th
00:49:335-3
00:49:335-4
00:49:334-3
00:49:345-4
00:49:356-3
00:49:366-5
00:49:367-7
00:49:367-6
00:49:368-8
00:49:378-8
00:49:387-7
00:49:398-8
00:49:408-8
00:49:409-8
00:49:419-9
00:49:4310-9
00:49:439-9
00:49:448-9
00:49:449-9
00:49:54Oh, he's in danger there.
00:49:56Seven, five.
00:50:01It's a decent finish there from Noel Shabini,
00:50:04but I just feel like the length is not quite as deep as you would like.
00:50:11Shabini, a few things falling short.
00:50:18It's better here, though.
00:50:22She prefers that ball to go into the nick, but did enough damage.
00:50:28Dangerous times now for Kennedy.
00:50:30Three points adrift.
00:50:38Down.
00:50:39And that is very helpful.
00:50:43The English players' cause.
00:50:45She'll be delighted to see that ball go in the tin.
00:50:49Been many gifts.
00:50:54Really had to earn her points.
00:50:56And there's another one.
00:51:02Again, the crowd would love to see Kennedy force a fifth here.
00:51:14That's what she thinks of that.
00:51:16Nine, seven.
00:51:18It wasn't a bad serve from Kennedy.
00:51:20Just coming off here versus slightly too far.
00:51:45Sure, again, at times, it's been quite inaccurate, some of this.
00:51:50And now, it's kicking off some of the short length.
00:51:55Eight, nine.
00:51:56From Shabini.
00:51:57It's a good attack in play from Kennedy.
00:51:59Stepping up the court, hunting the volley.
00:52:08Wonderful.
00:52:11Back level.
00:52:12Such a gutsy effort, this.
00:52:14Nine all.
00:52:18Takes a lot of self-belief.
00:52:20Yep.
00:52:28Down.
00:52:30And out.
00:52:32And out.
00:52:32Shabini responding, as you would expect.
00:52:35Match ball.
00:52:36Earning her first match ball.
00:52:59Oh, she's missed it.
00:53:0111-9.
00:53:02Match to El Shabini.
00:53:04Fantastic match.
00:53:05Great effort from Kennedy.
00:53:0711-4.
00:53:08Challenging.
00:53:09The world number two.
00:53:11Gave her something to think about, that's for sure.
00:53:14Oh, Shabini.
00:53:16Doing enough.
00:53:19And your match will be for El Shabini.
00:53:27Wonderful at times, Shabini.
00:53:29Not at her best, perhaps, but she's pleased to get through in four.
00:53:35She's very close in that fourth game.
00:53:42Noor, congratulations, it's well played.
00:53:45A six-minute opening game for you, I guess.
00:53:48That's exactly how you wanted to start today.
00:53:51Well, I hope so, of course, but I never underestimate Gina.
00:53:54Of course, she's playing amazing and a top player, so definitely expect a fight and expect a tough match.
00:54:02And the first game doesn't tell anything, actually.
00:54:04And I just saw that she came back and won the second, and it was all tough until the end.
00:54:09So, yeah, happy to win and just looking forward to the Mora's match.
00:54:14What changed for you in that second game compared to, say, the first game when you looked really sharp?
00:54:20Well, every game is different, and you have to accept that the players will change their game,
00:54:27and you can lose a little bit and do some errors, and she plays good shots.
00:54:30So, every game has a different situation.
00:54:33So, yeah, but she's coming back in the second, maybe more attacking, getting more shots,
00:54:43so making it more hard for me to play as the first game.
00:54:46You haven't played, of course, since the Texas Open before here at the Optasia Championship.
00:54:51Do you feel like you're hitting your best form just at the right time?
00:54:55I think so, yeah. I'm playing good. I'm happy with the way I'm playing, happy with the way I'm moving.
00:54:59And, yeah, definitely the second half of the season is much better than the first half.
00:55:04So, yeah, happy with it, and just hope you keep this form going until the end of the season.
00:55:08And it's your first time at the Wimbledon Club.
00:55:11You're through to the final, and you know what that means.
00:55:13You'll be playing Hanya Elhamami, and it will be a match for deciding who is going to beat world number
00:55:19one come tomorrow evening.
00:55:22What are your thoughts ahead of that match tomorrow?
00:55:25Well, let's hope it's going to be a good match first.
00:55:27And, yeah, for me, I've been in this situation before, and it's good to be in the final.
00:55:34It's good to be playing for a spot for the world number one.
00:55:38But, yeah, no pressure on me, to be honest.
00:55:40I'm just playing and enjoying the way I'm playing now more than before.
00:55:45So, this is the main goal for me, and definitely I will do my best, and everyone knows how the
00:55:51match goes.
00:55:52And the last few matches, they went to five, so let's hope for a good match tomorrow.
00:55:58We can't wait for it.
00:55:59Rest well tonight, and we look forward to seeing you back on the glass court tomorrow.
00:56:02Ladies and gentlemen, Norel Shabini.
00:56:05Norel Shabini into yet another final, number 77, I think.
00:56:09Will it be a 48th title?
00:56:13Very good performance there in the end from Norel Shabini.
00:56:18Relieved to come through in four games, but encouraging signs for all the Jeannie Kennedy fans.
00:56:23Some dramatic improvements in her game over recent months.
00:56:27She's now back, starting to challenge some of the top players.
00:56:30She'll be pleased with the performance, not necessarily the result,
00:56:33but the fact that she's played as well as she has here against El Shabini
00:56:37will be a really encouraging sign for her.
00:56:39Another final for the Warrior Princess.
00:56:41Three games to one.
00:56:44So, 43-minute match, and it is the number two seed, Norel Shabini,
00:56:48that gets through in four games.
00:56:5011-4, 10-12, 11-3, 11-9.
00:56:58One more semi-final to go here at the Optasia Championships,
00:57:02and it is the world number one, Mustafa Sal, taking on the Welshman.
00:57:06The number four seed, Joel Makin, coming up in just a few minutes' time.
00:57:10And now, the line in the diary of September, back here in London for the Squash Classic.
00:57:16What a venue, Ali Pali is.
00:57:20Iconic, and the old food that generates an atmosphere.
00:57:23We're going to be on the Squash on the Guts Court.
00:57:26We'd love to see you there as well.
00:57:28Scalzi QR code, on the big screen,
00:57:30small-hensory-londonsquashclassic.com.
00:57:32All of your information and get your tickets.
00:57:35We'll see you the pool seeking at the London Squash Classic,
00:57:39on the 7th until the 6th of September,
00:57:43BPSA Squash Hall.
00:58:16So, coming up next, ladies, some judgmental events, defending champion of world number
00:58:20one of Staffordes out, taking on the world number five, and we'll see here at the Wibbling Club,
00:58:27Joel Makin.
00:58:38We'll be back on the last course in under four more minutes.
00:58:42Everybody, the four minutes, so if you are in regime, add them on.
00:58:46Good timing.
00:58:46We'll be back on the last course in less than four minutes.
00:58:51A good time down to start next.
00:58:54We'll be back on the last course.
00:58:54We'll be back on the last course in less than four minutes.
00:59:21We'll be back on the last course.
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