Rachael Grinham (AUS) beat Nicol David (MAS) 7-9, 4-9, 9-3, 10-8, 9-1 in the Final of the British Open 2007 (photo: Fritz Borchert) World No1 Nicol David (le) will be looking to add title number 61 to her WSA haul next week as she and the world’s top stars head to the Allam British Open Championships at the O2 Arena in London from the 15-20 May.
Malaysia’s 6-time World Open champion will have the chance to equal current British Open champion Rachael Grinham’s (ri) 4 titles.
Rachel Grinham is the third most successful player in British Open history, having won the title in 2003, 2004 and 2007 and most recently in 2009, after which the event suffered a two-year absence from both the WSA and PSA calendars.
However, both players have some work to do to catch the most successful British Open winners, Susan Devoy and Michelle Martin. Former New Zealand international Devoy won eight British Open events between 1984-92, and Martin won six titles in the mid-90’s.
Hoping to close the gap on these legends of the women’s game, David is looking forward to the challenge of competing in the rejuvenated tournament.
1st round – 15th May 2012
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Qualifier
[11] Samantha Teran (MEX) v Qualifier
[6] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Emma Beddoes (ENG)
[12] Joelle King (NZL) v Qualifier
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Qualifier
[9] Natalie Grinham (NED) v Qualifier
[8] Kasey Brown (AUS) v Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL)
[10] Camille Serme (FRA) v Sarah Kippax (ENG)
[13] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v Alison Waters (ENG)
[7] Annie Au (HKG) v Qualifier
[16] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Joey Chan (HKG)
[4] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Qualifier
[14] Dipika Pallikal (IND) vOmneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[5] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) v Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[15] Donna Urquhart (AUS) v Qualifier
[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Delia Arnold (MAS)
