Nicol vows to return next year

NICOL David vowed to return for another crack at the World Championship next year after her quarter-final exit in Manchester on Friday.

Egyptian second seed Raneem El Weleily ended Nicol’s quest for a ninth world crown with an 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 win in 41 minutes.

World No 6 Nicol has now been eliminated in the quarter-finals for three editions in a row since winning the last of her eight world titles in Cairo in 2014.

“It was a tough and a good match but Raneem was better,” said Nicol, 34, in a posting on Twitter yesterday.

“Well done @RaneemElWelily. World Champs, see you back next year! Thank you everyone for all your loud cheers.”

World No 2 El Weleily’s fifth consecutive win over Nicol improved her head-to-head record against the former World No 1 to 8-18.

After splitting the first two games, the Egyptian took a firm grip on the match by controlling play in the next two games and book a semi-final date with France’s Camille Serme.

“I am really happy to be through,” said El Welily, who lost the 2014 final to Nicol on home soil after squandering five match points.

“Nicol will always put up a fight, especially in the World Championship, it’s her favourite tournament. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and I had to regroup and push back after she took the second game.”

El Weleily was also runner-up to compatriot Nour El Sherbinin in the 2016 edition. Devinder Singh