Not this time, Nicol
Malaysian goes down to England’s Perry in semi-finals
PETALING JAYA: It was just not meant to be for Nicol David after she crashed out in the semi-finals of the British Open squash championships.
The eight-time world champion simply had no answer to the barrage of winners by world No. 8 Sarah-Jane Perry of England as she lost 8-11, 11-7, 11-13, 7-11 at the Airco Arena in Hull yesterday.
It was a stark comparison to her quarter-final win on Friday, when she delivered a masterclass to beat world No. 2 Camille Serme of France 11-6, 11-6, 11-8.
The 26-year-old Perry, who won her last meeting against Nicol - in September last year- started strongly to take the first set 11-8.
World No. 7 Nicol however showed she’s not one to go down easily as she turned the tables on Perry to take the second set 11-7.
The lanky Perry however saved a game ball in the third to take it 13-11 and proceeded to fire off a string of winners to seal her first ever World Series final after 56 minutes.
It is an impressive win for the Birmingham native who had an incredible 35 winners compared to just 17 from Nicol.
It is also a double delight for the English camp as they will have a first all-England final since 1991.
This was after fifth seed Laura Massaro sent defending champion and world No. 1 Nour El Sherbini packing with a 5-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6 win in the other semi-final.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be in the final of a World Series event, what more on home soil,” said a jubilant Perry.
“It is really special and I do need to dedicate this win to those who didn’t know me and said Nicol would win.
“Of course it wasn’t easy at all as Nicol is so strong and she’s so good towards the end of the set.
“And I’m really proud to have come through and I’m so happy to have two Englishwomen in the final.
“I looked it up before the match and realised we haven’t had an all-English final since 1991. That added a little more fire to my belly.”
For five-time British Open winner Nicol, the defeat is the latest bitter pill for her to swallow.
The 33-year-old will however look to bounce back at the Women’s World Championship in El Gouna, Egypt, from April 5-14.