Nicol Retains World Squash Title

MALAYSIAN sports superstar Nicol David has done it again.

The world number one and defending champion succeeded in retaining the women’s world Open squash title at the Ulster Hall in Belfast yesterday. It was hard work for Nicol as she had to fight back in a dramatic final to become the first Malaysian athlete to win a world championship title for the second consecutive time. Nicol, who became the first Asian player to win the title last year, took 98 minutes to defeat fourth-seeded Australian Natalie Grinham 1-9, 9-7, 3-9, 9-5, 9-2. The match was played in a glass court, which was set up in the historic Ulster Hall, which was built in 1862 with a huge classical English organ in the background. It was the perfect setting for Nicol to stamp her mark once again as the best player in the world. Nicol had her parents, Desmond and Ann Marie, a handful of Malaysians students from Queens College and officials of the Malaysian Embassy among the crowd to cheer her on to victory. And she did not disappoint the Malaysians who turned up to support her. “Wow! I am glad the tournament is finally over,” said Nicol, who won the title last year in Hong Kong. “It was a good tournament and the final was great. I have to thank Natalie for that. It was a great crowd here. Everyone is here supporting us in the final. This win is also very special because my parents are here.” Long rallies were played from the start in the first game. But Nicol made many errors and found herself trailing 0-6. She only managed to secure a point before Grinham sealed the game. Nicol found her rhythm midway through the second game when the score was tied 4-4. Then Grinham made the errors, hitting the ball out when leading 7-5. Nicol won the game when she was awarded a stroke in her favour at game point. Error crept into Nicol’s game again as she hit the ball out for seven consecutive times to trail 0-7. She tried to force her way back into the game but failed to save it. In the fourth game, Nicol led 6-2 but Grinham tried her best to end the match. The Australian hit a series of winners to bring the score to 5-7. But Nicol stepped up the pace to force a decider. It was all Nicol in the fifth game. She led 6-1 and never looked back to seal the match 9-2. A disappointed Grinham felt that she tried her best but it was just not enough to prevent Nicol from claiming the title. Nicol’s efforts in the championship were worth US$17,000 while Natalie received US$11,500. Nicol’s next assignment will be the Doha Asian Games.

Taken from "The Star" at http://thestar.com.my