Favourite David Moves Into British Open Quarters
by Howard Harding


May 15, 2014 - Malaysia's top seed Nicol David moved a step closer towards a seventh final appearance in eight years when she beat rising England star Sarah-Jane Perry in straight games in today's second round of the Allam British Open Squash Championship, the Women's Squash Association (WSA) World Series Platinum event at the Sports Arena in Hull.

The formidable 30-year-old from Penang - who already boasts 73 WSA World Tour titles, including four British Open crowns - is eager to make up for last year's shock final defeat by English rival Laura Massaro.

"The British Open is like playing in the World Championships, so I'm thrilled to be here playing in it," said David (pictured above with Perry) after her 11-6, 13-11, 11-4 win in 40 minutes.

"It was a great match and I had to dig deep especially in the second game where I was behind so I'm pleased with the finish."

David now faces 11th seed Omneya Abdel Kawy, the 28-year-old Egyptian with whom she has enjoyed a 17-year rivalry since the pair contested the British Junior U14 Open final in January 1997.

World No13 Kawy pulled off a notable upset over sixth seed Camille Serme, beating the world No5 from France for the first time in over three years 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 13-11 in 62 minutes.

There was home success in an earlier second round clash when Londoner Alison Waters, the No5 seed, beat Welsh qualifier Tesni Evans 11-7, 11-9, 11-6.

Evans, the 21-year-old world No32 from Rhyl, had claimed her maiden appearance in the event's last 16 after a stunning upset over highly-rated Indian star Dipika Pallikal, ranked 10 in the world.

"After that first round win, I knew I couldn't take her lightly," said world No6 Waters, the reigning and four-time British National champion (pictured above with Evans).

"This is a very special tournament - I remember going to see it when I was about ten. I would really like to get my hands on the trophy.

"I've always done well in the Nationals - so it would be nice now to get this international title."

Waters will now face fourth seed Joelle King for a place in the semi-finals. New Zealander King took four games to see off unseeded Indian Joshana Chinappa 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-1.

RESULTS: Women's Allam British Open, Hull, England

2nd round (top half of draw):
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [16] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-6, 13-11, 11-4 (40m)
[11] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt [6] Camille Serme (FRA) 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 13-11 (62m)
[5] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [Q] Tesni Evans (WAL) 11-7, 11-9, 11-6 (31m)
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bt Joshana Chinappa (IND) 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-1 (43m)

Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [11] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[4] Joelle King (NZL) v [5] Alison Waters (ENG)
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [7] Low Wee Wern (MAS)
[2] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Sarah Kippax (ENG)






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