A file picture of Nicol David. She will be gunning for her eighth World Open title in Penang from March 17-23.
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Nicol David has pulled out of the Windy City Open squash championships which begins in Chicago on Feb 26.
The 30-year-old Penangite, who won the first two tournaments of the year – Tournament of Champions in New York last month and the Cleveland Classic last week – wants to focus on gunning for her eighth World Open title in Penang from March 17-23.
National No. 2 Low Wee Wern may also withdraw from the meet as she is still recuperating from a thigh injury suffered while playing against Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy in first round of the Cleveland Classic.
Wee Wern, who is seeded fifth, is slated to face India’s Dipika Pallikal in the first round of the Windy City Open.
The 23-year-old Wee Wern, who won the China Open in 2012, said that she is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Penang.
“I suffered the injury because I played three tournaments in a row and it took a toll on my body,” she explained.
World No. 6 Wee Wern lost to Nicol in the quarter-finals of the Tournament of Champions on Jan 22.
She then featured in the Greenwich Open, which was also in New York, and did well to reach the final before losing 3-2 to Joelle King of New Zealand on Jan 27.
On Jan 30, Wee Wern played in the Cleveland Classic, where she suffered the thigh injury in the first round match.
Wee Wern said that she can only do light training at the moment.
“I will only know by next week whether I will be able to play in the Windy City Open. I don’t want to risk aggravating the injury. What is important for me is to play in the World Open, which will be held in my home state of Penang,” said Wee Wern, who will be playing in her sixth World Open.
Since turning pro in 2008, Wee Wern has reached the quarter-finals stage of the World Open three times.
“With the home ground advantage and the supports of fans, I hope to go beyond the quarter-finals this year.
“A good result in the World Open might also help me break into the top five of the world rankings,” said Wee Wern, who is coached by Aaron Soyza in Penang.
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