Duncalf meets Nicol David in Macau semi-finals
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad Correspondent
Jenny Duncalf extended her unbeaten record over England team-mate Emma Beddoes by defeating her unseeded opponent in straight games in the Women’s Macau Open to claim a place in the semi-finals of the WSA Gold 50 squash event at Complex Desportivo International do Cotai in Taipa, Macau.
Beddoes (pictured above, foreground, with Duncalf) secured her surprise place in the last eight after ousting Egypt’s No3 seed Nour El Sherbini in the first round.
But seventh seed Duncalf, the former world No.2 from Harrogate, was too strong for the 29-year-old from Leeds, winning 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 to set up a semi-final clash with favourite Nicol David.
The world number one from Malaysia beat compatriot Delia Arnold – but the qualifier took the top seed to a tie-break in the third game before David prevailed 11-4, 11-9, 12-10.
2013 runner-up Rachael Grinham took a mighty step towards a second successive appearance in the final after upsetting Hong Kong’s No4 seed Annie Au.
The sixth seed’s 11-4, 11-5, 12-10 win takes the 37-year-old Australian through to a semi-final against second seed Raneem El Welily.
The world No3 from Egypt was taken to four games by Sarah-Jane Perry before beating the No8 seed from England 12-10, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5.
Women’s Macau Open, Taipa, Macau.
Quarter-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Delia Arnold (MAS) 11-4, 11-9, 12-10
[7] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt Emma Beddoes (ENG) 11-5, 11-6, 11-6
[6] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [4] Annie Au (HKG) 11-4, 11-5, 12-10
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [8] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 12-10, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5
Semi-final line-up:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [7] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [6] Rachael Grinham (AUS)
For all the latest WSA Tour news: wsaworldtour.com
Picture courtesy of WSA