High five for Nicol and OBH! KLopen08
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Nicol David played the role of a party-pooper when she spoiled Natalie Grinham’s second wedding anniversary by beating the Dutchwoman in the final of the CIMB Kuala Lumpur Open squash championships at the Berjaya Times Square here yesterday. Nicol, the defending champion, played a fast game to win 9-4, 9-2, 9-2 in just 35 minutes for her third title this year and her fifth KL Open crown. The Penangite won the Apawamis Open in New York in January and also bagged her sixth Asian title in Kuwait last month. It was Nicol’s seventh win over Grinham in eight meetings since last year. Grinham, who is nursing a sprained foot suffered during the Apawamis Open, gave a good fight in the first set.
Tight squeeze: Nicol David stands in Natalie Grinham’s way during their KL Open women’s final at the Berjaya Times Square on Saturday. Nicol won 9-4, 9-2, 9-2. – AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star
But she found it difficult to keep pace with Nicol in the next two sets.
Grinham said that she could not give her best because of her sprained foot.
“However, I will take a break for few days as tomorrow (today) is my second wedding anniversary,” said Grinham, who is married to 2001 KL Open champion Tommy Berden.
Two-time World Open champion Nicol pocketed US$8,122 (RM27,600) for her victory while Grinham took home US$5,771 (RM19,600).
Nicol, who also won the KL Open in 2000, 2002 and 2005, said that it was great to have bagged her third title for the year and her fifth KL Open crown.
“I felt good going into the final and Natalie did put up a good fight in the first set,” said Nicol, who captured eight Wispa titles last year.
“But in the next two sets she struggled although she gave her best as I believe she is still suffering from the sprained foot.”
Nicol was also glad that her training stint under former world No. 1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald in Melbourne in January had paid off.
Champions: Ong Beng Hee and Nicol David are all smiles as they hold aloft their men’s and women’s trophies after winning their finals in the Kuala Lumpur Open squash championships.
“I picked up some valuable pointers from her and I hope to get her help to further improve my game,” said Nicol.
The 25-year-old player added that she would take a few days’ break before resuming her training.
“I will be doing some exhibition matches in London next week and my next tournament will be the British Open in May,” added the player, who is coached by Australian Liz Irving in Amsterdam.
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Nicol David played the role of a party-pooper when she spoiled Natalie Grinham’s second wedding anniversary by beating the Dutchwoman in the final of the CIMB Kuala Lumpur Open squash championships at the Berjaya Times Square here yesterday. Nicol, the defending champion, played a fast game to win 9-4, 9-2, 9-2 in just 35 minutes for her third title this year and her fifth KL Open crown. The Penangite won the Apawamis Open in New York in January and also bagged her sixth Asian title in Kuwait last month. It was Nicol’s seventh win over Grinham in eight meetings since last year. Grinham, who is nursing a sprained foot suffered during the Apawamis Open, gave a good fight in the first set.
Tight squeeze: Nicol David stands in Natalie Grinham’s way during their KL Open women’s final at the Berjaya Times Square on Saturday. Nicol won 9-4, 9-2, 9-2. – AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star
But she found it difficult to keep pace with Nicol in the next two sets.
Grinham said that she could not give her best because of her sprained foot.
“However, I will take a break for few days as tomorrow (today) is my second wedding anniversary,” said Grinham, who is married to 2001 KL Open champion Tommy Berden.
Two-time World Open champion Nicol pocketed US$8,122 (RM27,600) for her victory while Grinham took home US$5,771 (RM19,600).
Nicol, who also won the KL Open in 2000, 2002 and 2005, said that it was great to have bagged her third title for the year and her fifth KL Open crown.
“I felt good going into the final and Natalie did put up a good fight in the first set,” said Nicol, who captured eight Wispa titles last year.
“But in the next two sets she struggled although she gave her best as I believe she is still suffering from the sprained foot.”
Nicol was also glad that her training stint under former world No. 1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald in Melbourne in January had paid off.
Champions: Ong Beng Hee and Nicol David are all smiles as they hold aloft their men’s and women’s trophies after winning their finals in the Kuala Lumpur Open squash championships.
“I picked up some valuable pointers from her and I hope to get her help to further improve my game,” said Nicol.
The 25-year-old player added that she would take a few days’ break before resuming her training.
“I will be doing some exhibition matches in London next week and my next tournament will be the British Open in May,” added the player, who is coached by Australian Liz Irving in Amsterdam.