Keeping cool
Nicol faces real test in quarter-finals after another easy win in New York
PETALING JAYA: Nicol David is not jumping for joy yet despite scoring another easy win at the Tournament of Champions (TOC) squash championships in New York.
On Monday, the 33-year-old Malaysian fired 17 winners on her way to an 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 second-round win over Hong Kong’s Annie Au at the Grand Central Station. It took Nicol only 30 minutes to get the job done.
Earlier in the first round on Saturday, Nicol was even more clinical. The eight-time world champion dispatched former world No. 2 Jenny Duncalf of England in just 24 minutes, winning 11-3, 11-3, 11-4.
Now, the real test starts for Nicol as she has to get past world No. 1 and defending champion Nour El Sherbini of Egypt in the quarter-finals. Nour reached the last-eight clash after a come-from behind 5-11, 11-9, 13-11, 13-11 win over compatriot Salma Hany.
Nicol, who had a disappointing and titleless 2016 season, has a 4-6 record against Nour. In their last meeting at the World Championship quarter-finals, it was Nour who emerged triumphant.
“I’m pleased with my performance and to be able to win 3-0 against Annie. She has always been a tough competitor,” said Nicol.
“And I’m definitely excited to play Nour
again. I’ve put in some hard work and I will give it my best. We’ll see what happens,” added Nicol, the TOC champion in 2014 when she was the world No. 1.
Meanwhile, Sarah-Jane Perry of England claimed the scalp of the day by sinking world No. 6 and home favourite Amanda Sobhy 9-11, 14-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-5 in 67 minutes.
Perry next meets world No. 3 Raneem El Welily of Egypt, who downed India’s Dipika Pallikal 15-17, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8, for a place in the semi-finals.
In the men’s event, top seed Mohamed El Shorbagy came up tops in a family affair after beating younger brother and world No. 6 Marwan 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 in the quarter-finals.
Mohamed’s next opponent is French third seed Gregory Gaultier, who beat Egypt’s Tarek Momen 11-3, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7.