King Sees Fifth Game Slip Away As David Rallies Into Women's US Open Final; El Weleily Outlasts Massaro
from DailySquashReport.com
October 12, 2012 - 12th-ranked Joelle King of New Zealand found herself six-love up in the fifth on world #1 Nicol David in the US Open semifinals last night, only to see it slip away as David won ten straight points to get to match ball and then closed it out 11-8 11-6 5-11 8-11 11-7.
David played steady, if unspectacular squash to earn her way back, while King, on the biggest stage of her career, may have tightened up a bit down the stretch.
David will take on Raneem El Weleily of Egypt in tonight's championship match. El Weleily got past defending US Open champion Laura Massaro 11-4 in the fifth in last night's first semifinal.
Steve Cubbins Files This Report
Nicol back from the brink
For two games all looked well for Nicol David, who was bidding to reach her first U.S. Open final here at Drexel University in Philadelphia, as she went two games up against qualifier Joelle King, who was competing well enough but couldn’t stop the Malaysian top seed, world number one and world champion from keeping her nose in front with the patient, probing squash that is her stock in trade these days.
So, 11-6, 11-6 to the Malaysian.
But then the spectre of David’s last two tournaments, both of which she failed to win in a first since 2009, reared its ugly head as King struck back to take the next two games 11-5, 11-8, this time the Kiwi being the one who went, and stayed, ahead.
Not that the pattern of play had changed, but the odd unforced error or loose shot that heralded the end of the rally was now coming from Nicol rather than Joelle.
And so it continued into the fifth as Joelle took a 6-0 lead with Nicol seemingly unable to do much about it. She kept plugging away, as she does, and with Joelle perhaps playing a little too safe as she saw the upset on the horizon, the points started going the other way.
By the time Nicol got back to 6-all the momentum had well and truly turned again, and it was Joelle who was now struggling to find a way to finish off points.
From 6-all the end came quickly, Nicol resuming her dominant mode, playing more aggressively with even the lucky nicks at the back going her way now. It was only a loose shot resulting in a stroke at 10-6 that prevented 11 points in a row.
The winning shot was a crisply struck volley drop from midcourt, and Nicol was back from, if not the dead, then certainly the brink, , and the unthinkable three losses in a row was averted.
“I just knew that it’s not over until it’s over,” said a delighted and relieved winner. “I’ve been there before and it’s just down to being determined not to let it go, not making any errors and getting my momentum back.
“I did that, I found my game, and I’m so pleased to win 3-2 and make the final!”
Raneem reaps revenge
Last night we lost the defending men’s champion as Nick Matthew won a five-game thriller against Amr Shabana to avenge his defeat in last year’s final, and tonight in the second women’s semifinal Raneem El Weleily also prevailed in five games to avenge her defeat in last week’s Carol Weymuller final and dethrone Laura Massaro in the process.
The match was a much sharper affair than the first, with fast-paced rallies and both players more than keen to exploit any openings they could create.
The Egyptian second seed made a few errors, as she always does, but they became fewer and fewer as the match progressed and Massaro, who took the first 11-8, was having to work harder to stay in touch.
Raneem pulled clear from the middle of the second to take it 11-8, and came from 7-9 down to take the third 11-9 with four clean winners.
Laura held the advantage throughout the fourth, but was caught at 9-all after a series of perfect lengths fom the Egyptian racket. She earned a game ball with a dropshot but tinned her first chance. Raneem should have had match ball when she tinned the easiest of volleys with Laura stranded - “that’s one I’ll remember for a long time” she said afterwards - and there was no reprieve as Laura levelled 12-10.
It was all El Weleily in the decider, 7-1 ahead in a flash, 10-2, not long after, and at 10-4 a return of serve was smashed into the nick to complete the revenge and end Laura’s reign.
“It feels great to be in the final,” said a happy winner, “she’s such a strong player I’m really happy I could beat her today.
“I was more balanced in my head today compared to yesterday,” she added. “It was still a bit up and down, but I was a lot calmer. Now I just need to get relaxed for the final ...”
[1] Nicol David (Mas) bt [Q] Joelle King (Nzl) 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 11-7 (83m)
[2] Raneem El Weleily (Egy) bt [3] Laura Massaro (Eng) 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-4 (60m)
Women's Draw
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