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SQUASH: A stroll for Nicol

ON FIRE: World champion advances as other big names fall

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CIMB Group chief executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak hands over the new championship logo to Nicol David yesterday. Pic by Yazit Razali

NICOL David avoided the cull of the seeds as the defending champion breezed into the quarter-finals of the CIMB Nicol David Kuala Lumpur Open at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

As three top-10 players joined the scrap heap, the only difficulty Nicol faced was having to change her racquet twice in an 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 win over Australian qualifier Donna Urquhart.

"I'm glad to win 3-0 as I made a few errors trying new things out," said Nicol, who made a couple of uncharacteristic volleying errors in the first round match.

"I probably had an advantage as Donna was tired (after qualifying). She was pushing things and getting my shots back and the rallies were pretty intense."

Nicol, who received a boost earlier yesterday when sponsor CIMB extended her contract by another year, faces
India's Dipika Pallikal in the quarter-finals.

Dipika, along with Annie Au of Hong Kong and Egypt's Nour El Sherbini, struck a blow for the next generation as Kasey Brown, Natalie Grinham and second seed Jenny Duncalf were all unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament.

Training under former world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald appears to be paying off for Dipika, who gave a polished display in her 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 win over Australian eighth seed Kasey, Annie brushed past seventh seeded Dutchwoman Natalie while Nour, 16, stunned England's Jenny 12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9.
Nicol, who won her only meeting on the WSA Tour with Dipika at the 2010 Chennai Open, is expecting a tough assignment at the Berjaya Times Square today.

"She is going to do whatever she needs to do. My focus is just to play a good match and adapt to the glass court, get a feel of the ball," added Nicol, seeking an eighth KL Open title.

Nour, who became the youngest world junior champion at age 13 in 2009, was delighted with her win over World No 2 Jenny, her biggest scalp yet.

"There was no pressure on me, I was just able to play my game. I played the ball pretty deep and into the back, and my drops worked very well," said Nour, who plays Rachael Grinham of Australia in the last eight.
Annie's win over Natalie was just as impressive as Nicol's perennial Asian rival booked a quarter-final meeting with England's Laura Massaro.

"Last time I played Natalie in Monte Carlo, I was leading 2-0 and match-point up and still lost (in the final). So I stayed patient and steady, reduced the mistakes and did not give her any chances," said World No 10 Annie.

Low Wee Wern was not so fortunate as Egypt's Raneem El Weleily cemented her position as heir apparent to Nicol with an 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 win.


Read more: NST

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