Penang Pair Progress To World Quarter-Finals by Howard Harding March 20, 2014
- Penang squash stars Nicol David and Low Wee Wern delighted the packed
and partisan crowd watching today's second round action in the Penang
CIMB Women's World Squash Championship when they despatched their
opponents in straight games to reach the quarter-finals of the premier
Women's Squash Association (WSA) event in Penang, Malaysia.
But it was Egypt's three-time world junior champion Nour El Sherbini who stole the show at the SPICE Arena.
The 18-year-old, who
is ranked only No27 in the world from a career high of four following a
lengthy injury layoff last year, was highly impressive as she doused
the challenge of current world No4 Alison Waters.
Sherbini took charge
in the middle and made the Englishwoman work the corners as she chalked
up a shock 11-3, 11-9, 7-11, 11-3 win in 41 minutes.
"I'm very happy
because this is the first time that I have beaten Alison, and this is
also the first time that I have progressed to the quarter-finals of the
worlds," said Sherbini, who will go on to meet world No5 Joelle King of
New Zealand for a place in the semi-finals.
"It's a really good
win for me and it's for my mother (Randa) who was so nervous watching
me play. I'm definitely hoping to keep this run going."
Waters who celebrated her 30th birthday on Wednesday admitted that Sherbini was the better player on the day.
"Not the best way
after my birthday but Sherbini played really well," said the Londoner.
"She was confident and was controlling the T. The headstart she had was
just too much for me."
Penang superstar and
seven-time world champion Nicol David had no problems overcoming
Egyptian qualifier Heba El Torky. Nicol romped to an 11-6, 11-3, 11-4
win in 24 minutes.
"Heba was probably
nervous, but she came back pretty strong. Still I'm glad I managed to
keep it pretty tight," said Nicol, who will next meet France's Camille
Serme.
Malaysian No2 Low Wee
Wern also came through, but not before surviving a third-set charge by
Canadian No1 Samantha Cornett, the second qualifier to make the last 16.
World No7 Wee Wern (pictured above with Cornett) proved her worth as she delighted the crowd with the 11-8, 11-3, 11-9 win.
"I didn't know what to
expect against Sam as I've never played and she gave everything she had
in the third game," said Wee Wern.
"But I'm pleased with
the result and I'm playing well. Hoping to go further tomorrow," added
the young Penangite who will make her fourth straight quarter-final
appearance since 2010.
She will however be in
for a massive challenge, going up against world No2 Laura Massaro in
the last eight. Massaro overpowered fellow Englishwoman and doubles
partner Jenny Duncalf 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 in 34 minutes - denying the
former world No2 a seventh successive appearance in the quarter-finals.
In the day's other
results, Ireland's 37-year-old Madeline Perry defied age and logic as
she battled hard from two games down to beat England's unrelated
Sarah-Jane Perry 7-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6.
"I'm still only 37, so
I feel fine," joked Madeline. "But really, I'm not as tired because the
rallies were not so long and I'm definitely looking forward to the
quarter-finals."
RESULTS: Penang CIMB Women's World Squash Championship, Penang, Malaysia
Quarter-final line-up: [1] Nicol David (MAS) v [8] Camille Serme (FRA) Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [5] Joelle King (NZL) [3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [7] Madeline Perry (IRL) [2] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [6] Low Wee Wern (MAS)
