Raneem renews rivalry with world No.1
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad Correspondent
Malaysia’s Nicol David and Egyptian Raneem El Welily, the No.1 and No.3 players in the world, respectively, will meet in Sunday’s final of the Women’s Macau Open after coming through today’s semi-finals of the WSA Gold 50 squash event at Complex Desportivo International do Cotai in Taipa, Macau, in straight games.
David increased her number of WSA World Tour final appearances to 96 – it will be her sixth this year – after despatching career-long rival Jenny Duncalf, the former world No.2 from England, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6.
The 31-year-old from Penang, who arrived in Taipa direct from Philadelphia where she won an historic third successive US Open title, is appearing in the Macau Open for the first time since November 2001 when she reached the semi-finals as an 18-year-old having just broken into the world top 20.
“I’m very happy to win in three games,” said the top seed (pictured above in Macau Open action with Duncalf) after her Duncalf victory. “It’s nice to be back in Macau after 12 years to see how much it has changed.”
Second seed El Welily, who hails from Alexandria, denied Rachael Grinham a second successive appearance in the final when she beat the 37-year-old sixth seed from Australia 11-3, 11-4, 11-3.
“I’m happy to make the final and be here in Macau,” said the Cairo-based 25-year-old (pictured above with Grinham). “I’m loving the venue as well as the glass court.”
It will be the finalists’ third Tour meeting this year – with the 2014 honours so far shared one-all.
Women’s Macau Open, Taipa, Macau.
Semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [7] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [6] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-3, 11-4, 11-3
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Pictures courtesy of WSA