Nicol bows out with emotional farewell

David walked-off to a standing ovation as she made an emotional farewell to the sport at the British Open in Hull yesterday.

Nicol bowed out following an 11-4, 11-7, 11-13, 11-5 second round defeat to third seed Nour El Tayeb of Egypt.

Nour came out firing and dominated the early exchanges in the opening set-and-ahalf. But Nicol, whose fighting spirit is one of her greatest strengths, started to find her range towards the end of the second game.

Nicol carried her momentum into the third as Nour appeared flustered after having a number of let calls go against her. The World No 18 staved off a late fightback from Nour to force a fourth set.

The Penang-born got off to a strong start in the fourth but the tough third set took a toll on her as Nour upped the tempo, allowing the latter to close out the match in 41 minutes.

Nicol said it was a game she would remember for a long time.

“Thanks to Nour for such a great match. I’ll remember this and tell everyone I finished on a high because Nour is a true champion,” said Nicol in an on-court interview yesterday.

“Looking back, 2005 was a big year for me and it all started here at the British Open. My first win here gave me the belief that I could be one of the best on the tour.

“And it gave me the confidence to win my first world title and get to World No 1.

“It is a really special time for women’s squash at the moment, seeing the current crop come through with all the top girls gunning for the British Open title and the No 1 ranking is special. I feel really proud to be part of that group.

“I have to thank Liz Irving (coach) who has been with me for the past 16 years. She transformed me in a way no one else could.”

Nour said: “I hated every minute of it because Nicol has been helping me out with my game for the past few months.”

Nicol’s retirement marks the end of an era in the women’s game.

Compatriot Low Wee Wern played Kiwi Joelle King for a spot in the third round late yesterday.