World No.1 Nicol David will lead the Malaysian charge against France in the quarterfinals of the World Women's Team Championship. -Filepic
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must overcome a stern French test if they are to stay on track for their first-ever final in the World Women’s Team Squash Championship.
Nicol David and Co, who outplayed sixth seeds United States 3-0 on Wednesday to top Group C with a 100% record, have been drawn to meet the Frenchwomen in the quarter-finals.
The French team aren’t their biggest concern, though. What worries Malaysia most is that they will meet top seeds and favourites Egypt in the semi-finals!
But that’s for another day.
For now, the Malaysian girls are just happy to have won all four matches in their group.
On Wednesday, at the Niagara Falls in Canada, seven-time world champion Nicol disposed of Olivia Blatchford 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 to put third seeds Malaysia 1-0 up against the US, who also moved into the quarter-finals.
World No. 7 Low Wee Wern sealed victory with a 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-4 win over 37-year-old player-cum-coach Natalie Grainger.
Delia Arnold made it a comprehensive 3-0 victory with a hard-fought 11-4, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6 win over Sabrina Sobhy.
“Our team have done well to get to the knockout stage ... we’re very pleased to have won all our ties 3-0,” said world No. 1 Nicol, who made her world team championship debut in 2002 as a 19-year-old.
“Whatever happens next, we’ll be ready to go.
“It would mean a lot to win this title ... a team event is always very different. I’m never as nervous as I am for a team event – not when I’m playing, but when I’m supporting my team-mates!
“I have three strong team-mates who train hard and work hard. It would be huge back in Malaysia if we won the title.
“Winning the Thomas Cup in badminton was massive back home ... the whole country came to a halt 22 years ago when it happened.
“We’ve never won any other world team title in sport ... so winning this would be really special,” added the optimistic Nicol.
Malaysia best ever finish was finishing third – which they did four times in the last four editions.
Egypt, powered by world No. 3 Raneem El Weleily, topped Group A by winning all their four matches. They will face seventh seeds Australia in the quarter-finals.
Second seeds and six-time champions England also advanced to the last eight, where they will take on eighth seeds Ireland.
The last other quarter-final match is between fourth seeds Hong Kong against the US.
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