Squash: FitzGerald cannot break Martin's spell
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MICHELLE MARTIN won the British Open title for the sixth time in a row when she beat the top seed and world champion, Sarah FitzGerald, 9-4, 9-2, 9-1 in a surprisingly one-sided final at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham yesterday.
It was the third consecutive occasion that FitzGerald had lost to her compatriot in the British Open final and yet, in between the last two Opens, FitzGerald had beaten Martin six times out of seven.
"You aim to pick your best performances for the final, don't you?" said Martin after Sunday's 30-minute match. "I stuck to my plan and didn't get involved in a bashing match.
"Sarah has never won it, and I think she puts too much pressure on herself to do so."
There were only a few minutes in the first game when the outcome seemed in any doubt. That was when a tense-looking FitzGerald came from 1-4 down to 4-4. But for the rest of the match the top seed never found her length and Martin used her long reach to apply pressure or take the ball short to create openings.
FitzGerald grew more and more desperate. She received a warning from the referee for a half-muttered curse in the middle of the second game and stood with her arms outstretched and her hands flat on the wall in disbelief when she mistimed a backhand to go 2-1 down in the third game.
FitzGerald did not win another point. Martin played better and better, volleying with control and variety, and FitzGerald's ratio of mistakes grew, culminating with a penalty point.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments