Nicol saves the blushes for Malaysia in the opening round

PETALING JAYA: Defending women’s champion Nicol David was the only Malaysian to survive the first round of the Hong Kong Open squash championships last night.

Nicol was hardly tested in her opening match against Sarah Kippax of England and needed just 22 minutes to carve out a 11-1, 11-5, 11-4 win.

Nicol, who is seeking to claim a sixth title in Women’s International Squash Players (Wispa) tournaments this season, should have no problem to march on as she takes on former Asian Games gold medallist Rebecca Chiu of Hong Kong today.

The seasoned Hong Kong campaigner overcame Tania Bailey of England 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10 yesterday.

Malaysian qualifier Siti Munirah Jusoh made a swift exit, going down 5-11, 4-11, 6-11 in 17 minutes to former world junior champion Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt.

Third seed Rachael Grinham of Australia was too strong for Malaysian No. 3 Delia Arnold, taking just 25 minutes to win 11-3, 11-5, 11-3.

Malaysian interest in the men’s competition ended with both Mohd Azlan Iskandar and Ong Beng Hee failing to get the better of higher ranked opponents.

Asian champion Azlan fell 8-11, 6-11, 9-11 to world No. 9 Daryl Selby. It was his second consecutive defeat by the Englishman after suffering a narrow defeat in the second round of the World Open in Kuwait last November.

Second ranked Malaysian Beng Hee put up a fighting display before going down 6-11, 7-11, 12-14 to world No. 16 Cameron Pilley of Australia in 62 minutes.

Star

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