Nicol David in final via thriller

Hyderabad, July 8: Down by two games and 1-6 in the third, reigning world champion Nicol David of Malaysia had to draw deep from from her reserves to enter the final of the Qatar Airways Challenge WISPA World tour squash championship at the Faluknama Palace here this evening.

In a keenly fought semifinal, the second seeded Malaysian got off to an indifferent start before rallying back splendindly to post a 5-9, 6-9, 9-6, 9-3, 9-0 win over fifth seeded Jenny Duncalf of England to stay on course for the title.

It was touch and go in the first three games, before the experience and the supreme physical fitness of the World champion proved decisive in the end.

Facing an upset bid after dropping the first two games and trailing 1-6 in the decider, Nicol won the last 26 points conceding a mere three points to enter the summit clash.

Duncalf had to blame herself for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory as she looked clueless to match the repertoire of the world champion.

Initially things were not too rosy for the ever-smiling Malaysian, who committed far too many errors. Thriving on it, the world Number six Duncalf jumped into a quick 5-0 lead. Nothing went right for Nicol. Her returns went awry and was comprehensively beaten at the tin by her rival.

Having gained a 8-2 lead and was just one point away from bagging the opening game, things started drifting away from Duncalf's hand as Nicol fought back by engaging her in long rallies and changing the pace with deft placements. Executing the 'boast' shots to perfection, Nicol reduced the leeway to5-8, before Duncalf settled the issue with a fine drop shot.

As in the semifinals yesterday, Nicol got off to a lethargic start. The British open winner was error-prone when she took to the court against the former world number one, who was keen to avenge the defeat she had suffered in the world open final in December last year. Playing some tight squash, Rachael kept Nicol behind her and forced her into errors. Rachael, gunning for her second successive title, played a steady game and waited for her chances. Most of the rallies were fairly long but the Aussie was up 7-2. Nicol was constantly tested on the backhand. She hit the 'tin' quite often to gift away points. Rachael pressed home the advantage to win the opening game 9-4.

Nicol looked a transformed lot despite the initial set back.

She hit the ball noticeably higher in the front wall to peg back Rachael and gained a vice-like grip over the match.

The Aussie initially led 2-1 and 5-3, before the Malaysian equalised at 5-5. Though the game was stopped a couple of minutes due to lighting problem, the players agreed to play and Nicol gained an upperhand winning the game 9-4.

Repeatedly dropping the ball dead with deft placements from close to the tin, she harrassed Rachael no end in the third game, which she won at love, up 5-0 in the very first serve. The dimunitive Nicol won the next four points in a row on her next serve.

Such was the superiority of the world champion that she left Rachael stranded in the back court on a couple of occasions with superb low forehand drives. The trend continued in the fourth game too as Nicol took a vice-like grip running up a 7-0 lead and wrapping up the contest rather easily.

Result( Final): Nicol David (Malaysia) bt Rachael Grinham (Australia) 4-9, 9-5, 9-0, 9-0.

UNI