Mollie Knaggs claims ‘wild’ English Open singles victory

Mollie Knaggs called her shock victory at the English Open “wild” after she beat US pro Alexa Schull to win the women’s singles Open title.

Having finished unbeaten in Group B, the 27-year-old from Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire defeated USA’s Susannah Barr 15-6 in the quarter-finals, then English Nationals champion Pei-Chaun Kao 15-10 in the semis.

Facing Schull in the final, Knaggs triumphed 11-1 11-4 to the delight of the home crowd – which included many of the players from her Spicy Pickleball Academy who were watching on the show court at the Telford International Centre.

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“This is huge. I’ve just beaten an American pro and I’ve only been playing for a year!” she said. “Honestly, this is wild to me, I did not expect this. I just thought I’d play some singles and see how it goes. I honestly did not expect this at all.

“This was all down to mental strength, I did not even practice singles, not one bit. I practised yesterday, and that was it. I’m so happy.”

Knaggs is heading to America to take part in competitions at the end of August. “I guess I’ll see what happens there!” she smiled.

Pei beat Thaddea Lock 12-10 11-3 in the bronze medal play-off.

The men’s singles Open winner was Max Manthou from Tacoma, Washington. James Chaudry and Louis Laville were the best-performing Brits in the draw as both reached the quarter-finals.

Manthou, 32, who beat Ryler Deheart 11-8 8-11 11-0 in the final, said: “The match finished in my 13th hour of pickleball of the day, so that’s a new record for me!

“Since I’ve been playing pickleball, I’ve not travelled much outside the US, so this has been a great chance for me to do both. It’s my first time outside the US playing pickleball, so it’s been a thrill to be part of all this in Telford.”

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