PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 Nicol David’s Qatar Classic triumph on Friday has definitely put her well in line to win her record sixth title at the World Open, which starts next week at Rotterdam.
Despite suffering a surprise defeat in the US Open earlier this month, the 28-year-old Nicol was back at her best in Doha as she delivered a stunning performance to see off Madeline Perry in the final.
Nicol won 11-2, 11-7, 11-3 in 33 minutes to lift her fifth Qatar crown as well as the 55th Women’s International Squash Players Association (Wispa) title of her career.
Although Nicol is now the favourite to make history by becoming the first woman to win six world titles, she should not take her opponents lightly if the results in Doha is anything to go by.
World No. 2 Jenny Duncalf was sent packing in the second by world junior champion Nour El Tayeb while fifth seed Laura Massaro and sixth seed Kasey Brown both suffered early exits too.
It goes to show that any player ranked within the top 20 has the ability to pull off an upset.
In Rotterdam, Nicol will face compatriot Delia Arnold in the first round and a win will probably pit her against 14th seed Donna Urquhart of Australia.
Awaiting her in the quarter-finals could be either Brown, who beat her in the US Open, or 11th seed Raneem El Weleily.
Malaysia can also rejoice that national No. 2 Low Wee Wern is finally emerging from Nicol’s shadow and is now able to hold her own against top players.
The 21-year-old Wee Wern has had a memorable two weeks – winning the China Open for her first title in two years and going on to stun Massaro in the second round in Doha.
It was unfortunate that she ran out of steam against veteran Perry in the quarter-finals but a first round rematch is on the cards in the world meet.
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