* Brown Advisory British Open Singles Championships 2025

Rory won the spin and the first game saw both players edge into the match. At 3-3, a three point burst gave Richard the early advantage to 6-3 and the 8-5. Richard was starting to kill more balls with Rory on the defensive. Four more point gave Richard a commanding 12-5 lead and, although Rory clawed his way back to 8-13, Richard was able to serve his way to the first game, 15/8.

A fast start to the second game saw Richard lead 3-2, and then 6-3. Some great defensive play by Rory saw him stem the flow, but only a respite as Richard served six points without reply to lead 12-3. Credit to Rory, fighting back to 5-12, but the writing was on the wall. Three more point to Richard on his next service won the game 15/5, and established a two game lead.

Game three saw Richard dominate the early exchanges, galloping into a 6-0 lead, the 9-1. Rory rallied well, back to 3-9, as Richard now struggled to convert his service. 5-9 and the 6-9 saw Rory starting to believe. But the relief was short-lived as Richard started to covert his points, 10-6, then 12-6, before serving out 15/6, and hold a three game advantage.

A strong start in the fourth saw Richard carve out a 4-0, then 5-1 lead. Two more points saw this extended to 7-1, but now Rory had his best run, scoring five points to reduce the lead to 6-7. But Richard broke back, scoring three points to re-establish his lead, 10-6, then 12-6. Rory snatched back the serve but could only manage a point, allowing Richard back to serve through the game, winning 15/7, and the Open Championship, four games to love.

David Norman (T&RA President) and Peter Mallinson (representing Brown Advisory) presented the prizes. David commented that Richard’s virtually faultless performance ranked with the greats in the game. Rory played well to hold his own and played his part in a wonderful match, having come through a tight seven game epic semi-final two days previously. Huge thanks to sponsors, Brown Advisory, in their tenth year of sponsoring Rackets. Yet another successful event for organiser, Will Morse.