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CIMB Malaysian Open: Nicol cruises past former world champ

Devinder Singh

WHAT was expected to be an explosive affair turned into a tame match for Nicol David in the first round of the CIMB Malaysian Open at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Nicol David (right) stretches for a shot as Vanessa Atkinson looks on in their first round Malaysian Open match yesterday. Nicol won 11-4, 11-5, 11-8. — Pic: KHALID REDZA
Nicol David (right) stretches for a shot as Vanessa Atkinson looks on in their first round Malaysian Open match yesterday. Nicol won 11-4, 11-5, 11-8. — Pic: KHALID REDZA

Nicol cut lanky Vanessa Atkinson, the former world champion, down to size to book a quarter-final spot in the showcase all-glass court at the Curve today with an 11-4, 11-5, 11-8 win.

The win was not so much a poor reflection of Dutchwoman Vanessa's game but more a confirmation of Nicol's dominant position as the reigning world champion and current No 1 on the Wispa Tour.

There was not a hint of an upset as Nicol put the match to bed in 38 minutes as Nicol improved her record against World No 12 Vanessa to 6-9.

"Vanessa and I know each other's game so well that I had to be at my best because she had nothing to lose. I worked hard and I'm happy to have won in three games," said top seed Nicol, bidding for her fifth straight Malaysian Open title.


"I tried to get my timing right as Vanessa plays a good game and goes for her shots straight away. It will be good to be back on the glass court tomorrow (today) and enjoy the atmosphere."

Up next for Nicol is unseeded Australian Kasey Brown, who stunned sixth seed Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt 12-10, 11-5, 11-7.

Kasey, who only made the main draw after an injured Shelley Kitchen of New Zealand withdrew, has played Nicol only once before, taking a game off her in the World Team Championship last November, but never on tour.

"I've not beaten Omneya before and I'm quite surprised to have won and in three games too. But I'm looking ahead to playing Nicol, I've only played her once, and the good thing about playing the World No 1 is that all the pressure is on her," said World No 14 Kasey, who last won a title in June 2008.

All the other seeded women won although second seed Rachael Grinham of Australia survived a scare before staging a strong recovery to beat Isabelle Stoehr of France 11-13, 6-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5.

Third seed Natalie Grinham of the Netherlands also advanced after showing Malaysian wild card Delia Arnold the exit with an 11-5, 11-4, 11-8 win.

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