David Eyes Up Super Sixth World Title In Rotterdam Women’s World's
by Elliot Selby
October 12, 2011 - The Women’s World Open 2011 draw was made in Rotterdam yesterday in front of the distinguished guests and the Dutch media, and World no.1 and defending champion Nicol David was duly installed as top seed and favourite to lift her sixth title. Overseen by WISPA Tour Director Tim Garner, the names were drawn by City Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb assisted by former World Champion Vanessa Atkinson. Featuring players from 25 different countries the event will take place for the first time in Rotterdam, aptly known as the City of Sports, from 29th October at Victoria Squash Club culminating in the grand final at the New Luxor Theatre on 6th November.
Despite having lost in the US Open last week, Malaysian Nicol David remains hot favourite in to retain the trophy she lifted in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, last year. However if she beats compatriot Delia Arnold and then her seeded opponent Donna Urquhart, she finds last week’s conqueror Kasey Brown potentially blocking her path in the quarter-finals! Brown’s path to the quarters is far from simple facing what is sure to be a vociferous crowd backing local wildcard Orla Noom in the first round and then one of the form players Egyptian Raneem El Weleily in the Last 16. El Weleily showed her class two weeks ago winning the Carol Weymuller Open and beating 4 top 10 players in doing so!
Local favourite Natalie Grinham finds herself in a tough section of the draw, but the former World no.2 will be keen to delight home fans. Assuming she negotiates her way past a qualifier she is seeded to come up against 4th seed Madeline Perry. The Irish woman has enjoyed a renaissance in recent months winning the CIMB Singapore Masters and reaching the semi-finals of the US Open. Also in that section are former World no.3 Alison Waters, who is on her way back after injury, talented French woman Camille Serme and World Junior Champion Nour El Tayeb!
Third seed Rachel Grinham tops the bottom half of the draw, but faces a tricky path to the semi-finals. If she is able to get past a qualifier and then Mexican Samantha Teran, she faces a potential quarter-final berth against mercurial Omneya Abdel Kawy or WISPA President Jaclyn Hawkes. Grinham will no doubt hope that Hawkes can repeat her victory over Kawy in Singapore given Grinham has always found Kawy a nemesis despite her superior ranking.
The final quarter of the draw also has the potential for fire-works with a rematch possible between second seed Jenny Duncalf and fifth year Laura Massaro. The British no.1 and 2 played in the recent US Open where Massaro caused an upset beating her more illustrious opponent. Having also beaten her in the British Nationals earlier in the year, Duncalf whilst wary of the dangers will be keen for revenge. Both players also face tricky, if different, challenges earlier on with Massaro set to take on the silky racket skills of Annie Au, while Duncalf is seeded to play athletic Kiwi Joelle King.
The quality of the field befits an event of the stature of the World Open and squash fans from across the globe are sure to tune in to see if Malaysian starlet Nicol David can continue her dominance of the championship or if some is ready to step and wrestle the title from her. What can be sure is that the person who lifts the trophy on November 6th will deserve to be the champion of the World.
1st Round
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Delia Arnold (MAS)
[14] Donna Urquhart (AUS) v Qualifier
[11] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) v Sarah Kippax (ENG)
[6] Kasey Brown (AUS) v Orla Noom (NED) Wildcard
[7] Camille Serme (FRA) v Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
[12] Alison Waters (ENG) v Qualifier
[13] Natalie Grinham (NED) v Qualifier
[4] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Low Wee Wern (MAS)
[3] Rachel Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier
[16] Samantha Teran (MEX) v Qualifier
[15] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) v Dipika Pallikal (IND)
[8] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v Qualifier
[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Qualifier
[9] Annie Au (HKG) v Joey Chan (HKG)
[10] Joelle King (NZL) v Qualifier
[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Qualifier
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