Nicol David in action against France
PETALING JAYA: The stage is set for a grand rematch after world No. 1 Nicol David clinched her spot in the women’s final of the CIMB Malaysian Open squash championships by beating France’s Camille Serme at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, on Saturday.
The seven-time world champion proved too strong for world No. 12 Serme, winning 12-10, 11-7, 11-6 in 42 minutes to reach her 11th straight Malaysian Open final.
The 30-year-old Nicol now has a chance to gain revenge on Egypt’s Raneem El Weleily in Sunday’s final. Weleily, who stunned Nicol in four sets in last year’s final, overcame a first-set loss to beat world No. 2 Laura Massaro of England 8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 10-12, 11-9 in the other semi-final.
Serme, fresh from winning the European Individual Closed Championships (EICC), enjoyed a better start compared to Nicol. The Frenchwoman tackled Nicol head on and appeared on course to take the first set as she held game ball at 10-9.
But a costly tin by Serme saw Nicol pull level before going on to win 12-10.
It was all Nicol from then on as she went into overdrive, quickly sealing her place in the final as Serme ran out of ideas.
“It was a tough game as Camille was on form after winning the EICC and having a great run in this tournament,” said Nicol.
“But I think I played pretty well too ... the second and third sets were probably my best in the entire tournament as I was quite sharp.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the final against Raneem. A whole year has gone by but this time she’ll be the one defending the title while I’m the one looking to take it away from her,” added Nicol.
Compared to Nicol, the 24-year-old Weleily, the world No. 3, had to bring out her A-game to beat Massaro in a titanic 78-minute tussle.
Massaro, the winner of the Kuala Lumpur Open in March, started well and put Weleily under immense pressure, but the Egyptian survived the onslaught to emerge winner.
“I am really happy to be in the final again. Laura played very well and I had to give it everything I had,” said Weleily.
“I actually started well this time but I made a few risky decisions which didn’t pay off. Laura was also putting me under pressure by pinning me to the back and I struggled to break her rhythm.
“But I’m really happy to pull through, especially with the lovely crowd support,” said Weleily.
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