Nicol Kicks Off Title Defence In 2015 US Open Squash C'ships With Easy Victory

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysian squash queen and world number two Nicol David kicked off her title defence in the 2015 United States Squash Championships with a straight sets victory in Philadelphia, United States. In the opening match early Monday, Nicol, the second seed defeated Hong Kong qualifier, Joey Chan 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 to sail into the second round. Nicol who is gunning for her third title of the season will play against 12th seed Nouran Gohar of Egypt late Monday. Nouran who is also the World Junior champion moved into the second round by defeating her compatriot Kazy Emad El Defrawy 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 in another opening round match. For the record, Nicol has won two titles so far this season -- Cleveland Classic in Ohio, United States in February and also the 2015 Women's Asian Individual Championship in Kuwait in May. Malaysia's number two Delia Arnold who defeated unheralded Nicolette Fernandes of Guyana in her opening match on Sunday will face a mammoth task in the second round when facing world number four, Camille Serme of France. Malaysia's representation in the men's category had ended Sunday after Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan lost 9-11, 3-11, 7-11 to fifth seed and former three-time world champion Ramy Ashour from Egypt in the opening round. -- BERNAMA