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Nicol David wards off Kasey’s challenge

KUALA LUMPUR: Four-time world champion Nicol David warded off a strong challenge from Kasey Brown before securing a place in the semi-finals of the Kuala Lumpur Open.

The world No. 1 defeated the eighth seeded Australian 12-10, 14-12, 11-1 in a 43-minute quarter-final match yesterday.

Nicol will meet world No. 4 and third seed Alison Waters of England for a place in the final. Waters, who will celebrate her 26th birthday today, was stretched to the limit by unseeded Samantha Teran of Mexico before prevailing 11-5, 11-2, 8-11, 11-13, 12-10 in 60 minutes.

Nicol said that she had to work very hard to beat Brown.
“I knew Brown would go all to get me and she gave me a good fight in the first two sets. I was glad to win in straight sets. I have to further raise my game against Waters in the semi-finals. She is another tough opponent,” said Nicol, who is gunning for a sixth KL Open title.

Nicol has never lost to Waters in their last nine meetings.


World No. 3 and second seed Jenny Duncalf of England was lucky to reach the semi-finals after her opponent and compatriot, Laura Massaro, retired in the fourth set even though she had match point at 11-10.
Duncalf, who defeated Nicol in two tournament last November, won the first set 11-7 but lost the next two at 4-11, 10-12.

The sixth seed Massaro stretched to retrieve the ball in the fourth set when she hit into Duncalf and injured her ankle. She received treatment but could not continue to play and conceded a walkover.

Duncalf will play against world No. 6 and fourth seed Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt in the semi-finals. Omneya advanced with a 12-10, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7 win over fifth seed Madeline Perry of Ireland.
Omneya, who will feature in the semi-finals of the KL Open for the first time, said that she was looking forward to the match against Duncalf.

“I came close of beating her in the final of Soho Square Open in Egypt last November,” said the Egyptian.
The semi-final matches of the championships today begin at 4.30pm and Nicol is expected to play at 7.30pm.

The Star

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