Tough task ahead

Nicol’s got a mountain to climb in World Series Finals

PETALING JAYA: Nicol David (pic) has got a fight on her hands for the season-ending World Series Squash Finals in Dubai from June 6-10.

The world No. 6 and two-time winner in 2012 and 2013 has been drawn in Group B with Egyptian world champion Nour El Sherbini and Englishwomen Laura Massaro and Sarah-Jane Perry.

Group A comprises two Egyptians – world No. 2 Raneem El Welily and world No. 5 Nouran Gohar – French world No. 3 Camille Serme and England’s world No. 9 Alison Waters.

It will surely be an uphill task for eighttime world champion Nicol to finish among the top two in the group and qualify for the semi-finals.

The Penangite has endured a seven-match losing streak against Nour and has also lost both her previous meetings with Massaro and Perry.

Nicol, however, is optimistic of her chances to get out of the group stages.

“Obviously the competition is tough, with only the top eight players in the world in it and everyone will be gunning for victory,” said Nicol.

“It’s been a tough few months but I do feel that I’ve been playing better than I did last year.

“Winning the Ciudad de Floridablanca Open in Colombia – my first in a while – was also a special feeling and I’m trying to keep bringing the good vibes onto the court when I play.”

After the World Series Finals, the top players from the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour will go on break until the China Open from Aug 29-Sept 3.

Nicol will have a shorter break as she is committed to compete in the World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 25-28 and the World Doubles Championships in Manchester, England, from Aug 1-5.