Nelson Mail

King looking to conquer again

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It now has the 29-year-old from Cambridge well motivated for plenty of squash to play in her career yet, as things like a maiden title on the World Series, a best-ever ranking, and even perhaps one day to sit top of the pops, still present as tangible goals.

Though while fellow Kiwi Dame Susan Devoy dominated the sport and had a decade-long hold on the No 1 world ranking through her career in the mid-80’s and 90’s, the rise of the Egyptians means King still has a mountain to climb if she is going to reach the peak.

With legendary Nicol David (age 34), who had a mortgage on top spot through 2006-2015, now having dropped to No 9, King is the only non-Egyptian player in the top five.

All King can do is keep performing, especially when it counts, such as the British Open – the sixth and final event before the top eight in the standings contest the World Series Finals in Dubai, from June 5-9.

Seeded fourth, King is looking to go one step further than her previous best effort, of the quarterfin­als.

‘‘It’s one of the most prestigiou­s titles that’s recognised, from not just squash players, but the wider New Zealand community, obviously with our Dame Susan Devoy winning it so many times,’’ she said.

‘‘There’s a different kind of pressure coming in now.

‘‘[But] the main focus [this year] has been just to play the best squash I can play, and you can’t go too far wrong if you’re thinking that way.’’

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