ID :
234097
Thu, 03/29/2012 - 05:21
Auther :

M'sian Squash Players Nicol, Nafiizwan, Beng Hee Move Into Quarterfinals

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- World women's number one Nicol David opened her campaign for her eighth title at the CIMB Nicol David Kuala Lumpur Open Squash Championships by crushing qualifier, Donna Urquhart of Australia, at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil, here Wednesday night. Besides Nicol, Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan and Ong Beng Hee also advanced to the last eight. In the first round match, Nicol took only 35 minutes to beat her opponent in straight sets 11-5, 11-5 and 11-6. "I am glad to win 3-0 today although I made a few errors because I'm trying out a few things and get the feel of the court. "Donna (Urquhart) was probably tired from her qualifying rounds and I had a better advantage. No doubt she was pushing through and getting into some of my shots. The rallies were pretty intense too," said Nicol. In Thursday's quarterfinal, Nicol will be meeting another qualifier, Dipika Pallikal of India, who upset eighth seed Kasey Brown of Australia. Nicol, 28, won the competition in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. Meanwhile, Low Wee Wern was shown the exit by a stronger opponent, fifth seed Raneem El Weleily of Egypt, who scored a 9-11, 6-11, 5-11 straight sets win. In the men's category, Mohd Nafiizwan outclassed his senior, Mohd Azlan to book his berth in the quarterfinals. Mohd Nafiizwan had to encounter a grueling 66-minute match against Mohd Azlan, the tournament's second seed, before emerging with a 8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3 and 11-2 score in a match that went the distance. He noted that tomorrow's quarterfinal against Malaysia's no.2, Beng Hee will be another tough encounter. "You'll never know playing against Beng Hee tomorrow. I hope I can recover well tonight," said Mohd Nafiizwan. Meanwhile, Beng Hee claimed his berth in the last eight after his opponent, Matthew Karwalski of Australia retired from the game due to a hamstring injury when Beng Hee was leading 11-8. Malaysia's wildcard entry, Ivan Yuen was defeated by third seed, Adrian Grant of England, 6-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-8 in a match which lasted 73 minutes. -- BERNAMA

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