Nicol wins fifth World Open title

Nicols wins win 11-5, 11-8, 11-6 against the first Egyptian woman to reach a World Open final.

Nicol David of Malaysia equalled the record of five World Open titles when she completed one of the most devastating spells of her career by beating Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy in Wednesday’s final.

It took her just over half an hour to win 11-5, 11-8, 11-6 against the first Egyptian woman to reach a World Open final and sealed the win in a tournament she had stamped her authority on.

“It’s amazing that I can do something that Sarah [record holder] has done, because she’s such a great player,” said David. “She’s helped me so much and, with my coach Liz Irving, she’s been instrumental.”

“My focus was strong throughout,” she said later when asked to evaluate. “I really wanted this. I didn’t want to let it slip.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2010.