Ladies British Open 2017
Lea - three-time Open Champion
Ladies World Champion, Lea Van der Zwalmen, retained her British Open title with a 3 games to 0 win in the final over Georgie Willis. These two had won their respective Groups with something to spare, having in the semi-finals, against the second players from the opposite Group, both found their strong serves were able to dominate. Lea beat Martha Elliott 15/0 15/3, and Georgie beat Izzy Duncan 15/2 15/2.
The final began with a one-sided run to 14-0 by Lea, and though Georgie twice saved a game ball to get into hand, she couldn't prevent Lea taking her third game ball for a commanding 15/0 opening game. The start of the second game produced by far the best rackets of the whole day and after seven hands apiece, including some excellent,exciting, well-contested rallies, Lea was only 5-2 in the lead. But the defending champion here showed her class with a run to 15/2 to lead 2 games to 0. Another long run from Lea in the third game took her from 3-1 to 14-1, match ball. Georgie saved this first match point, got a couple more points herself, but then Lea got back in hand and won the point needed to seal her third consecutive British Ladies Open.
The prizes were presented by Sam Beale, leading light of the Clifton Boasters Club, who have done so much to help Lea on her successful quest, since taking up Rackets in the 6th form at Clifton, to become the best
Group A - Old Court
- Lea Van Der Zwalmen bt Millie Broom 15/0 15/2
- Isabelle Duncan bt India Deakin 15/4 15/7
- Lea Van Der Zwalmen bt India Deakin 15/3 15/5
- Isabelle Duncan bt Millie Broom 15/4 15/2
- India Deakin bt Millie Broom 15/4 15/3
- Lea Van Der Zwalmen bt Isabelle Duncan 15/2 15/2
Group B - Bridgeman Court
- Martha Elliott bt Elizabeth Dolan 15/0 15/7
- Georgie Willis bt Martha Elliott 15/3 15/2
- Georgie Willis bt Elizabeth Dolan 15/2 15/3
Semi-finals
- Lea Van Der Zwalmen bt Martha Elliott 15/0 15/3
- Georgie Willis bt Isabelle Duncan 15/2 15/2
Final
- Lea Van Der Zwalmen bt Georgie Willis 15/0 15/2 15/3
Georgie Willis and Lea Van der Zwalmen