Squash: Nicol marches into world semis

GRAND CAYMAN: Six-time champion Nicol David’s slight hiccup en route to the World Open semi-finals only served to highlight how extraordinary has been her dominance of the women’s tour. The superbly consistent Malaysian’s dropped game during a 11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-3 victory over Ireland’s Madeline Perry was only the second that she has allowed to get away from her in four years and 18 matches at this venue. “I know that Madeline can come back from two-love down and I had to do something about it,” said Nicol. “I didn’t want that to happen. So I had to adjust my shots in the fourth and I’m pleased with that.” Nicol will play Jenny Duncalf, who beat Alison Waters 7-11,17-19, 11-5, 11-4, 11-9. The other semi-final will be between Nicol’s two closest rivals, Laura Massaro of England and Raneem El Weleily of Egypt.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2012.