WSA: Raneem stops all-Malaysian final in KL

September 14, 2012 - 12:59pm
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Raneem reaches the final

El Weleily Ends All-Malaysian Final Dream

Raneem El Weleily booked her place in the CIMB Malaysian Open Squash Championships after ending the impressive run of Low Wee Wern.

The Egyptian closed out the contest in four games against local interest Wee Wern, but the No.2 seed didn’t have it all her own way.  After narrowly losing first game, the Malaysian upped the pace of her play to force a number of errors from her opponent and managed to draw level at one game apiece.

El Weleily hit back immediately though, moving Wee Wern strategically around the court and ended the third game by forcing a stroke from the world No.10.  As the match progressed though, the Egyptian steadily upped the power of her shots, which seemed to play into Wee Wern’s game plan.

Some steady and patient play from Wee Wern in the fourth game was enough to force a fifth game out of El Weleily, after some uncharacteristic errors from the world No.2 put herself under unnecessary pressure.

The Egyptian returned to court a more focussed and consistent figure, but Wee Wern, buoyed by her home support, refused to go down quietly.  A close 11-9 final game went in favour of El Weleily as she progresses to the final, but the young Malaysian can be proud of her efforts in this World Series event.

El Weleily will face Nicol David in the final after the home favourite game from a game down against a determined Laura Massaro to win in four.  Massaro started the quicker of the pair in the second WSA match of the day, and took the first game tie-break.  She extended a small lead in the second too, but Nicol got into her stride and closed out the Englishwoman’s efforts with some excellent retrieval and impeccable lengths.


Nicol David overcomes Laura Massaro

Massaro’s threat never waivered, but David’s court movement absorbed much of the attacking pressure and it was the Malaysian who continues on to her tenth Malaysian Open final, of which she has won eight.

David now has the chance to claim title number 63, a feat which would see her overtake Sarah Fitzgerald in most number of WSA titles ever won.  Fans can watch the match unfold and see if history will be rewritten as www.psasquashtv.com will be streaming the match live for subscribers.

Final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) vs [2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY)
Semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [4] Laura Massaro (ENG) 10/12, 11/6, 11/7, 11/8
[2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt [11] Low Wee Wern (MAS) 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9

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