Asiad: One-Two Win For Malaysia In Squash

From Zuriati Zulmi INCHEON (South Korea), Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's squash queen and world number one Nicol David outclassed compatriot Low Wee Wern to defend her title and contribute Malaysia's second gold medal of the 17th Asian Games at the Yeorumul Squash Courts here Tuesday. It was also Nicol's fifth gold medal since her participation in the Asian Games. Nicol defeated Low 9-11, 11-6, 11-5 and 12-10 in 53 minutes. "It was great and I can't believe I won already because it was a long match and a good one as well playing with your teammate. You just feel like that its gonna keep going for a longer time. "I am very pleased to win and for us to get the silver and gold medals for Malaysia. It was a great match and event for Malaysia," she told reporters. Low took the first match after leading Nicol all the way to 11-9 before the 31-year Penangite took the second and third sets 11-6 and 11-5. Nicol is now the most successful Malaysian athlete in Asiad history. She has won five golds, and shares the honour with Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan (athletics), Ng Boon Bee (badminton) and Shalin Zulkifli (bowling). Nicol won her first singles gold medal in Bangkok in 1998, but she failed to retain it in Busan in 2002 when she lost to Hong Kong’s Rebecca Chiu in the final. But she stormed back to win again in Doha in 2006 and in Guangzhou in 2010. Her other gold came in the team event, which was introduced for the first time in Guangzhou. Meanwhile, Low said it was always very hard to break the world number one Nicol. "I played very well but Nicol was a better player towards the end of the game," she said. Both Nicol and Low will participate in the team event Wednesday along with Delia Arnold and Vanessa Raj. --BERNAMA