Wee Wern hoping to avoid Nicol at all costs

PETALING JAYA: National No. 2 Low Wee Wern has looked up to world No. 1 and compatriot Nicol David for all of her career.

But now the 23-year-old Wee Wern is hoping to avoid her fellow Penangite as much as possible in the individual event of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23-Aug 3.

In the seedings for the Games released on Tuesday, defending champion Nicol is the top seed followed by world No. 2 Laura Massaro of England, world No. 4 Joelle King of New Zealand and world No. 6 Alison Waters of England. 

Wee Wern, who is the world No. 7, is seeded fifth and there is a good chance that she may meet Nicol in the quarter-finals and ruin any chances of earning a medal.

“I think the seedings is really fair and expected because it’s based on the Women’s Squash Association (WSA) rankings and we have not had a tournament since the British Open in May,” said Wee Wern.

“Being seeded fifth is good for me but now I’m really just hoping to avoid Nicol in the last eight when the draw is released on July 17.

“I hope to have a favourable draw as my aim is to win a medal. I made my debut in New Delhi in 2010 and lost in the first round. This time, I hope to put up a better show,” said Wee Wern.

Wee Wern will also take part in the doubles, partnering Nicol.

Nicol-Wee Wern are seeded fourth. Massaro-Jenny Duncalf of England are the top seeds followed by Kasey Brown-Rachael Grinham of Australia and Waters-Emma Beddoes of England.

Meanwhile, Ong Beng Hee is seeded eighth in the men’s individual event while Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan-Delia Arnold are the eighth seeds in the mixed doubles.