RESULTS: 16th Asian Individual Squash Championships 2011, Penang, Malaysia
Women’s Championship
Men’s Championship
[3/4] Mohd Nafizwan Mohd Adnan (MAS) bt [1] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8 (64min)
There Can Only Be Wan: Adnan, David Win Asian Titles
Malaysians Mohd. Nafiizwan Adnan and Nicol David claimed both the men’s and women’s championships, respectively, at the 2011 Asian Individual Squash Championships held at the Nicol David International Squash Center in Penang, Malaysia. It is the first title for Adnan, in his first ever appearance in the final. Women’s top seed, David, won her 8th consecutive title.
With a second upset in as many days, Adnan who goes by ‘Wan’ on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour, defeated top seeded Ong in a tenacious and physical final. “I thought if I kept him behind me, I could outplay him at the front,” said an exuberant Adnan.
Indeed, Ong had a view from the back, but fought to the end as he was pushed by the raucous crowd who favored him. “I’m disappointed with my performance today, but Wan played well as he had all tournament,” said Ong afterwards.
The women’s final, in a match belying their seedings, was a lopsided affair. The World Champion from Penang, David dominated from the opening serve, quickly earning an eighth Asian title to her collection over Au, ranked 11th in the world.
Spurred before a passionate and loyal crowd that included her family, in the squash facility that bears her name, David was relentless and never allowed Au into the match.
“Annie is a player, that, if you let her get into her rhythm, it becomes a very different game. I wanted to make sure she didn’t,” commented David after the brief 23-minute match, suggestive of just how dominating she was.