Ladies World Doubles 2020
RESULTS
Group Stages
Group A
- A. Whybrow & M. Clarke bt M. Knowles & G. Gunn 15/4 15/2
- L. Van der Zwalmen & L. Gengler-Saint bt M. Knowles & G. Gunn 15/1 15/3
- L. Van der Zwalmen & L. Gengler-Saint bt A. Whybrow & M. Clarke 15/7 15/5
Group B
- L. Gooding & I. Thorneycroft bt F. Dowling-Membrado & C. Sweet 10/15 15/7 15/12
- I. Deakin & T. Lumley bt F. Dowling-Membrado & C. Sweet 15/1 15/7
- I. Deakin & T. Lumley bt L. Gooding & I. Thorneycroft 15/0 15/9
Finals
- 5th/6th position F. Dowling-Membrado & C. Sweet bt M. Knowles & G. Gunn 15/5 15/4
- 3rd/4th position L. Gooding & I. Thorneycroft bt A. Whybrow & M. Clarke 5/15 15/5 15/5 15/4
- World Championship I. Deakin & T. Lumley bt L. Van der Zwalmen & L. Gengler-Saint 18/17 15/11 6/15 18/13
Group A was dominated by World Singles Champion, Lea Van der Zwalmen, and her young partner, Luisa Gengler-Saint, winning both their group matches in straight games. Cheltenham pair, Abby Whybrow and Molly Clarke, put up some stiff resistance but eventually came second in the group. Group B was hard fought but Open Champion, Tara Lumley, and her partner India Deakin came through both their matches, with Wellington Pair, and 2018 Open Doubles Champions, Lauren Gooding and Issie Thorneycroft winning through as runners-up.
After a break for a Wellington lunch, Fionnuala Dowling-Membrado and Cesca Sweet won their fifth place play-off, beating a spirited Minty Knowles and Georgie Gunn. In their best of five third place play-off, Abby Whybrow and Molly Clarke started strongly taking the first game, but slowly Lauren Gooding and Issie Thorneycroft grew into the match, reversed the tide to win in four games.
The World Championship match didn't disappoint and there were numerous rallies which kept the gallery's close attention. The tightest of opening games saw Tara Lumley and India Deakin call a set to five at 13-all, and then sneak across the line 18/17. An equally tight second game saw them surge ahead towards its conclusion, to win 15/11 and take a two-game lead. Lea Van der Zwalmen and Luisa Gengler-Saint now worked hard to switch the momentum and both played their part to take a comfortable third game 15/6, and give them a chance. Indeed, they called a set to five in the fourth but were unable to capitalise and saw their opponents win through to take the all-important fourth (and final) game 18/13.
For those watching the development of the Ladies game over the last ten years, this match showcased the progress. Crisp rallies, great returning and top-class shotmaking. T&RA Chief Executive, Chris Davies, praised the competitors and handed out the superb Grays Trophy and Pol Roger champagne. Grays also provided their latest racquets as prizes for the world champion, which were very well received.
