Nicol fights back to win China Open

PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 Nicol David demonstrated the true grit of a champion by coming back from two sets down to beat Raneem El Weleily to win the China Open in Shanghai on Sunday.

The seven-time world champion had to fight her way out of trouble before recording an 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 win over the world No. 3 from Egypt.

It brought her record against Raneem to 12-2, following recent wins at the Malaysian Open final last month and the Carol Weymuller Open semi-final earlier this month.

It was also her fourth consecutive title on the trot, and it brought her total tally on the Women’s Squash Association (WSA) Tour to 70.

Yet, the Penangite did not get off to a rosy start as Raneem started the match stronger to win the first two sets rather easily.

Nicol, however, fought back to take the third set 11-7 and forced a deciding rubber after bagging the fourth by the same score.

In the end, Nicol just about had enough of gas left in the tank to seal her first title in China.

“Had a really good run at the China Open. The game went into a decider today and I was really glad to pull it off 3-2. Thank you all for your support! Shanghai is gorgeous!” posted a jubilant Nicol on her Facebook page after the win.

With the women’s World Open yet to be announced by the WSA, Nicol will have a month to catch a breather before heading back to this part of the world for the Hong Kong Open from Dec 1-8.

Rumours had been strong that Hong Kong Open would be converted into the women’s world meet but the WSA have quashed that rumour.

They have until the end of October to announce the venue or there probably will not be any world meet for the women this year.