WSA: David leads seeds into British Open semis

May 25, 2013 - 8:06am
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A classic backhand set-up from Nicol David. Picture by STEVE CUBBINS

A classic backhand set-up from Nicol David. Picture by STEVE CUBBINS

David leads seeds into British Open semi-finals

Nicol David remains on course to retain her Allam British Open title, and her first of 2013 after beating sixth seed Joelle King in the quarter-finals.

The world No.1 from Malaysia was evenly matched in the opening game at the Hull and East Riding Squash Club, after adverse weather conditions called a halt to play at the KC Stadium.  Only a tiebreak separated the pair, but David had the edge over her opponent and maintained her narrow advantage to take the second game.  King’s counter-attacking efforts began to take their toll however, and she was unable to put up much of a fight in the third, with David closing out the win.

The seven-time world champion will now face Englishwoman Alison Waters after the fourth seed’s impressive victory over Australia’s Kasey Brown.  Brown was unable to match the efficiency displayed by the home hopeful who dominated the match and allowed the twelfth seed no chance to get into her stride.

Alison Waters plays a drop shot against Kasey Brown.

Alison Waters plays a drop shot against Kasey Brown.

Raneem El Weleily maintained her good form in the event by dispatching eighth seed Jenny Duncalf.  The Englishwoman took a closely fought lead against the No.3 seed, but El Weleily recovered well and launched an aggressive attacking effort to storm to victory and into the next round.

The Egyptian will face English rival Laura Massaro, following the local Yorkshire-woman’s four game defeat of Omneya Abdel Kawy.  Having defeated fifth seed Nour El Sherbini in last night’s second round, Kawy was in promising form but Massaro was clever in her deconstruction of the Egyptian’s game.  At 2-0 she looked good value for her lead, but Kawy refused to give up and managed to end the third game on her terms.  The world No.2 bounced back immediately however and ended the contest in four to reach her fourth successive World Series semi-final.

Weather permitting, play should resume at the KC Stadium tomorrow afternoon and will be aired live on SquashTV from 1pm.

 
Photographs available courtesy of SquashSite at: https://plus.google.com/photos/100655331621782539210/albums/5881492107280513137
 

Semi-finals:

1pm – [1] Nicol David (MAS) v [4] Alison Waters (ENG)

Follow on – [2] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [3] Raneem El Weleily (EGY)

 

Quarter-finals:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [6] Joelle King (NZL)      13-11, 11-8, 11-1

[4] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [12] Kasey Brown (AUS)       11-4, 11-3, 11-4

[3] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt [8] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)           9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5

[2] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [14] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)    11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8

 

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