“It feels fantastic to be US Open champion! Next I just hope we can get in the Olympics – if we do I’ll make sure I’m there, even if I have to turn up with my walking stick!” (photo: Steve Cubbins). Nicol David (ri) added the one major title missing, as she beat Raneem El Weleily (le) 14-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 in the US Open final. The victory will come as a relief to the Malaysian, not only for adding the missing title to complete her set, but for also rising to the challenge of facing El Weleily who robbed her of a home Malaysian Open title last month.
A fast and furious first game got underway, with Egyptian fearless as ever in her attacking shots and David forced to play a waiting game for the younger player’s mistakes which made the difference in the end.
Overdue for Nicol David, she sets a new record for number of WSA titles won, moving ahead of legendary player Sarah Fitz-Gerald to 63 titles.
Final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) 14-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 (45m)
Semi-finals:
[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 [4] Laura Massaro (ENG) 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-4 (60m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Alison Waters (ENG) 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 (41m)
[Q] Joelle King (NZL) bt [3] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 8-11, 11-4, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5 (42m)
[4] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [5] Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 (44m)
[2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Kasey Brown (AUS) 11-8, 11-13, 12-10, 11-9 (47m)
1st round:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Camille Serme (FRA) 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 (42m)
[Q] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [8] Natalie Grinham (NED) 10-12, 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7 (53m)
[3] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 (33m)
[Q] Joelle King (NZL) bt [7] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 12-10, 11-6, 11-5 (39m)
[5] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [Q] Donna Urquhart (AUS) 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2 (39m)
[4] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt Kristen Lange (USA) 11-0, 11-3, 11-4 (19m)
Kasey Brown (AUS) bt [6] Annie Au (HKG) 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 (46m)
[2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Low Wee Wern (MAS) 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5 (38m)
