Neptune Rackets British Open 2014
Commentary
FINAL. Alex Titchener-Barrett started strongly establishing a 8-6 lead and then 11-6. Will Hopton responded with a powerful winner to close to 9-12 but ATB’s lead was too convincing and he took the first game 15/9. He carried this momentum into the second game, leading 7-2 and then 13-5, before closing out 15/5, to lead two games to love. Hopton responded in the third taking an early 8-3 lead before ATB pegged him back to 9-all. ATB continued to drive reaching game-ball, 14-9; Hopton responded, closing to 14-12 before ATB closed out the game 15/12 – and establish a three games to love lead.
The fourth started tightly, with Hopton on the ropes and needing to win the game. Despite this pressure, he pulled out a 6-2 lead before ATB levelled and then nudged ahead to 8-6. This inspired Hopton who surged back to 13-8, and then the game 15/8, and reduce the overall lead. ATB now needed to close out the match and led 4-1 and then 6-2 in the fifth. Hopton rallied but it was ATB in the ascendency to lead 11-4. Hopton needed to dig deep and fought back to 10-11 – and then carried the momentum to 14-11. ATB clawed back two points and then made 14-all – Hopton called a set to three. ATB had championship point but it was Hopton who remained calm, holding his nerve and the game 17/16, reducing the deficit to two games to three.
The sixth game was tense but it was Hopton who had the momentum, leading 8-6 and then 10-6. ATB fought hard, just needing one more game; the packed gallery was animated and noisy. However it was Hopton who kept driving forward taking the game 15/12 and levelling the match at three games all. ATB started well in the final game holding a 10-7 lead, but Hopton wasn’t finished, levelling to 10-all. After three and a half hours either player could win, and they inched closer 11-all, and then 12-all. But it was Hopton who reached 14-12 and his own championship point which he didn’t waste; winning the final game 15/12 – and recovering the Open Championship he had won in 2012.
A fantastic match with top class Rackets and a packed gallery on a Sunday afternoon. Former World Champion James Male presented the prizes and Will Hopton will return to Chicago very content with the richest prize in Rackets outside the World Championship, having demonstrated he can recover from what seemed an impossible deficit. Many thanks to Robin Geffen, the generous sponsor of the Neptune British Open.
SEMI-FINALS. Two very different semi-finals on Friday evening. ATB reached Sunday's final by beating Ben Snell in four straight games, meaning he has reached the final with the absolute minimum of fuss, not dropping a game. Snell bows out after a very good tournament but didn't have the shots to match an in-form ATB on the night. The second semi-final was always going to be a tight affair and so it proved. James Coyne took the first game, only to be pegged back by Will Hopton - recognition that they understand each other's games extremely well. But it was Coyne who won the closest of third games to re-establish his lead, albeit short-lived as Hopton surged back to level. The fifth game was crucial and it was Hopton who just inched home, before winning the next game and the match 4-2. These are the first two games dropped by Hopton in this year's competition but he will be pleased to avenge last year's defeat at the same stage by his valiant opponent.
QUARTER-FINALS. There was probably more drama on the M4 which ensnared Tom Billings en route to his quarter-final clash with good friend and mentor, Will Hopton. But Hopton was too sharp when the match eventually commenced and galloped home in three straight games. His reward is an interesting encounter with his World Doubles partner, James Coyne, who is playing exceptionally well and narrowly lost out in the Amateur Single Final in December. A much closer affair followed between Christian Portz and Queen's professional, Ben Snell. After trading the first two games, it was Snell who secured the closest of games to lead 2-1. Portz rallied and levelled before Snell won a convincing fifth game; he now faces a tough semi-final against the resilient ATB.
Two straightforward quarter-finals on the first night. ATB won comprehensively against Ryan Tulley, who had played an excellent first round to reach the last eight. Later James Coyne breezed past qualifier Andy Stout, who should also be pleased with his performance this year.
FIRST ROUND. The match of the first round saw Tom Billings ease past Jamie Giddins in a tight five match. Billings drew first blood but then Giddins let a 14-11 lead slip away in the second game. With the match in the balance, it was Giddins who found the vital shots to win the set to 3. He then ran away with the third to lead two games to one. At this point Billings found his length, levelling the contest and then winning the all-important decider. A busy gallery was treated to an outstanding first round clash.
Statement
Unfortunately James Stout, the top seed and World Champion, has withdrawn from the British Open following surgery.
The draw has been reorganised in accordance with the T&RA Rules & Procedures with the number 3 seed (Will Hopton) replacing Stout in the number 1 seed position, and the number 5 seed (Christian Portz) moving into the number 3 seed position. The seeding remain unaltered, it is only the positions which change.
A revised draw will follow once the amended timings have been confirmed with those affected.
Schedule and Results
Sunday 12th
James Coyne (4) bt Mark Hubbard 16/13 15/7 15/6
Ryan Tulley bt Nick James (7) 15/8 14/17 15/10 15/7
Alex Titchener-Barrett (2) vs Alex Coldicott 15/2 15/3 15/7
Tuesday 14th
Andy Stout bt Drew Lyons 15/6 15/7 15/2
Christian Portz (5) bt Alistair Orchard w/o
Ben Snell (6) bt Nick Hutton w/o
Will Hopton (3) vs Will Morse (OC) 15/6 15/2 15/12
Tom Billings (8) vs Jamie Giddins (BC) 15/10 16/17 1/15 15/7 15/8
Wednesday 15th - Quarter-finals
Alex Titchener-Barrett (2) vs Ryan Tulley 15/0 15/7 15/2
James Coyne (4) vs Andrew Stout 15/4 15/7 15/6
Thursday 16th - Quarter-finals
Will Hopton (3) bt Tom Billings (8) 15/7 15/3 15/7
Ben Snell (6) bt Christian Portz (5) 10/15 15/12 17/16 13/16 15/2
Friday 17th - Semi-finals
Alex Titchener-Barrett (2) bt Ben Snell (6) 15/6 15/5 15/8 15/8
Will Hopton (3) bt James Coyne (4) 9/15 15/10 15/16 15/3 15/13 15/2
Sunday 19th - Final
Will Hopton (3) bt Alex Titchener-Barrett (2) 9/15 5/15 12/15 15/8 17/16 15/12 15/12
Will Hopton is 2014 Open Champion