Nicol keeps title hopes alive

odds are stacked against her but it would be foolish to write off Nicol David’s chances of progressing to the quarter-finals of the world championships for one last time.

The eight-time world champion, who earlier this month announced that she will be retiring at the end of the season, faces Frenchwoman Camille Serme in the third round of the world meet in Chicago today (tomorrow morning in Malaysia).

Camille is ranked No 5 in the world and has beaten Nicol, who is 21st, in four sets in both their last two encounters at the Tournament of Champions in January last year and the Hong Kong Open in 2017.

On paper, Nicol, who enjoys an overall 16-2 head-to-head advantage over Camille, is the underdog. But the way Nicol demolished England’s Millie Tomlinson in straight sets in the second round on Sunday is a very positive sign. Millie had beaten Nicol in five sets in their only previous encounter at the Hong Kong Open last year.

Arguably, the public announcement of her retirement could have lifted some of the burden of expectations off her shoulders. She has yet to drop a game so far, having also beaten Egyptian Menna Nasser in straight sets in the first round.

Nicol has made it clear she wants to savour her final appearance at the world championships.

“After playing the way I played, I just want to be happy and fresh. Anything goes when you step on that court and I’m just hoping for the best,” Nicol told psaworldtour.com after beating Millie.

Having a day’s rest after playing Millie will also be a boost for Nicol, who turns 36 in August. Camille is six years her junior.

The winner of the match will face either Kiwi Joelle King or Hong Kong’s Joey Chan for a spot in the last four.