Nicol packs off Natalie for third World Games gold

PETALING JAYA: It was a joyful moment for world No.1 Nicol David who was simply superb in dispatching Holland’s Natalie Grinham to win her third consecutive World Games gold medal at Cali, Colombia on Sunday.

The Penangite, who has endured a pretty poor year by her standards, failing to win any Women’s Squash Association (WSA) title so far, was just too good for the 35-year-old Grinham, winning 11-6, 11-9, 11-8.

In a rematch of the 2009 final in Kaohsiung, both Nicol and Grinham were evenly matched in the first set tied at 4-4 before the former as usual stepped it up to take the set.

The seven-time world champion continued to be aggressive and was making all her shots although Grinham matched her with some beautiful lobs and delicate drops.

Nicol however was equalled to the task and demonstrated her superior fitness to pick up everything Grinham threw at her before romping home for the gold.

It is her third gold medal in the Games, after 2005 and 2009 and it is the perfect birthday present for Nicol, who turns 30 on August 26.

It is also proves that Nicol is nowhere near a decline phase and the win will be the perfect boost for her ahead of the Malaysian Open from Sept 10-15.

Nicol who will now prepare for the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s decision on squash’s inclusion into the Olympics next month was clearly delighted with the win.
“It’s always nice to win a medal at a multi sport event,” said Nicol with a smile.

But while Nicol triumphed, national No.2 and world No.6 Low Wee Wern again slumped to a defeat, losing in straight sets, 8-11, 4-11, 4-11 to France’s Camille Serme.