Stiff Massaro test awaits Nicol in San Francisco Open quarters

Laura Massaro (left) returns a shot to Nicol in the semi-final tie of the British Open in Hull. - SquashPics.com

PETALING JAYA: The real test awaits Nicol David in the chase for her first San Francisco Open title.

The Malaysian sixth seed gave a clinical performance by easily defeating England’s Fiona Moverley 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 to advance into the women’s quarter-finals of the tournament in California, the United States.

But the challenge will be today when the eight-time world champion takes on the formidable Laura Massaro of England.

The two met earlier this month in the China Open which saw Nicol bring the fourth seed Massaro to her knees in 29 minutes, crushing her 11-6, 11-6, 11-7.

In order for Nicol to repeat the performance, she has to be at her best to clear Massaro for a likely semi-final date with world No. 2 Raneem El Welily in the semi-finals.

Even though she has defeated Raneem 18 times in 27 meetings, the last time Nicol overcame the Egyptian was back in 2015.

Top seed Raneem didn’t budge an inch as she sent Canadian Hollie Naughton packing with an 11-6, 11-4, 11-3 win in the second round.

She will go up against seventh seed Alison Waters from England in the other quarter-final.

Camile Serme of France will meet Hong Kong’s Annie Au, while defending champion Sarah Jane Perry of England will meet Joelle King of New Zealand.