Willstrop & Perry Celebrate English British National Double

England's James Willstrop and Sarah-Jane Perry claimed the AJ Bell British National Championship titles at the University of Nottingham today following two tightly-contested finals.

Underdog Willstrop, the defending champion, saved eight game balls to defend his crown in style by stunning Welsh favourite Joel Makin to claim a fourth title.

Meanwhile, women's top seed Sarah-Jane Perry secured her second trophy after squeezing past compatriot Jasmine Hutton in straight games.

Second seed Willstrop's defence was peerless throughout a gripping encounter as he beat Welshman Makin 12-10, 0-11, 12-10, 14-12 in 76 minutes.

The 36-year-old world No.18 from Pontefract was marking his 22nd successive appearance in the event since making his debut in 1999 - but it was the 25-year-old Welshman who started the brighter of the two.

Makin, boasting a 3/2 head-to-head advantage over his older opponent, flew into a 10-4 lead for six game balls. But, in his record-equalling 11th final, Willstrop reeled off eight straight points to clinch the tie-break and take the opening game after 19 minutes.

Makin then won 11 consecutive points to level the match - inflicting only the third 11-0 game loss in Willstrop's career. In the third, Makin again showed his class, coming back from 6-1 down to level at 8-8.

However, energy spent in conversation with the officials gave Willstrop some crucial thinking time as he saved a game ball with his signature backhand drop shot before winning another tie-break in 22 minutes.

The heat turned up in the fourth, and a despairing Makin dive at 9-9, prevented a first championship ball for Willstrop only adding to the drama.

Whilst Makin twice extended the match - forcing Willstrop into saving a game ball of his own - the Englishman proved too clinical third time around.

"To sneak in there at the end against one of the top players in world, I'm not sure how I was able to do it really," said Willstrop.

"The British Nationals has prestige and history. Some of the greats have played it and to play and compete with someone like Joel who's one of the top players at the moment is great.

"He's incredibly hard to break down. The bagel in the second sums it up. That's how hard it is to win a rally. He goes for everything and once I got 6-nil behind it seemed impossible.

"I came back though and it's great to be able to compete at that level and win. It's special anytime to win the Nationals but especially against a field like this!"

2015 champion and world No.7 Perry had experience, a higher ranking and a superior head to head over finalist Hutton - the world No.48 who made the final after two straight walkovers!

Perry's imposing court presence and calm head on the tight points proved too much for the 2019 British U23 Open winner.

Hutton had a chance at 9-9 to earn a game ball, instead trying too much with a simple shot as Perry took the gift and promptly wrapped up the first game.

Hutton overcame a patchy start to the second to bring it back to 8-8 but Perry bagged two more game balls, the 29-year-old all over the second opportunity for another 11-minute game.

Hutton benefitted from two overrules in her favour in the third to lead 7-6 but three straight points from Perry, swiftly followed by some stunning Hutton winners and then costly errors, summed up the athletic youngster's final as Perry prevailed in 35 minutes, winning 11-9, 11-9, 11-9.

"I'm really pleased to win a second National title because I've been stuck on one for a little while.

"Jasmine played fantastic. She came out with no signs of nerves and played some really fearless squash. She has improved so much in the past six, 12, 18 months.

"She is definitely pushing in that crop of young players trying to challenge the slightly older guard like myself. I am sure she will have many more finals."