Nicol David and Rachael Grinham (pic) will meet for the 32nd time in their careers when they play for the crown in Mexico, after surviving contrasting semi-finals in Toluca. The opening semi in the first WISPA Gold event ever to be staged in Mexico was an all-Australian affair, when the 3rd seed Grinham came out quicker in the decider – and, after the pair were locked at nine-all again for several minutes, it was the more experienced Grinham who pulled away to win 8-11, 11-2, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9 in 61 minutes against compatriot Kasey Brown. Malaysian Nicol David booked her place in the final with a composed win over 21-year-old Egyptian Raneem El Weleily (12-10, 11-6, 11-6). Nicol David first met Rachael Grinham in the final of the Milo Open in Kuala Lumpur in 2000 – when Grinham was top seed and 16-year-old David was 6th six. The Australian came out on top – but has since seen David build up a 24-7 career head-to-head lead.
