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Nicol Claims Maiden Title This Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysian squash queen and world No 1, Datuk Nicol David got off to a better start in the new year, after clinching the 2014 Tournament of Champions title in the United States.

In the final match held at the Grand Central Terminal, New York early Saturday, the 30-year-old Penangite put up a splendid performance to upstage her opponent, Laura Massaro of England.

She beat the world number two and second seed player in 11-4, 13-11 and 11-8 in 45 minutes.

On the victory, Nicol, who is also seven times world champion, said she was happy to win the tournament despite having to struggle in the first set against the Englishwoman.

"The ball got faster as we were playing and I was able to play some good and low attacking shots...I just kept telling myself to 'keep going, keep going and keep going' (in the second set)," she was quoted as saying in the tournament website's www.toc.com.

Meanwhile, in the men's category, seventh seed Amr Shabana of Egypt pulled off an upset by defeating top seed and world number two, Gregory Gaultier of France, 11-8, 11-3 and 11-4 in 42 minutes.

-- BERNAMA

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