The Hindu : Sport / Squash : Nicol downs Rachael to clinch title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 10, 2006

Sport

Sport - Squash

Nicol downs Rachael to clinch title

V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD: World champion Nicol David of Malaysia reasserted her class with a clinical demolition of defending champion Rachael Grinham of Australia 4-9, 9-5, 9-0, 9-0 in just under 45 minutes in the final of the Qatar Challenge 2006 WISPA squash tournament here on Sunday.

It was a performance befitting the magnificent setting with the squash courts set up in the foreground of the historic Falaknuma Palace.

Once again, Nicol demonstrated her capability to bounce back after conceding the first game. After levelling the game at one-all, she reeled off 24 points without conceding in the last three games. In the process, she also increased her head-to-head record against Rachael to 7-5 in 12 meetings.

At the start, Rachael looked to rely more on her backhand and preferred to make optimum use of the wall on the left to be in a better position. Quickly jumping into a 6-2 lead, she surely looked more agile.

And to her delight, Nicol made a mess of some simple backhand drops and also conceded strokes at crucial moments.

Soon, the contest saw a couple of long rallies and when Nicol ended one of them with a delectable drop to reduce the lead to 3-7, it did look like she was back in her elements. But Rachael had other intentions and wrapped up the game 9-4 in 17 minutes.

Nicol was soon leading in the second game after overcoming the 3-5 deficit. The game was marred by a five-minute break after the power went off.

Nicol opted to come up with a combination of delectable drops and powerful forehand strokes, which pushed Rachael to the backcourt.

With the Australian unable to pick some of the deep returns, Nicol gleefully placed sure winners. Suddenly, Rachael looked jaded and missed some easy scoring opportunities, which saw Nicol clinch the game in style.

Spurred by her strong showing, Nicol moved into top gear and started to toy with her opponent and soon clinched the game 9-0 in seven minutes.

In the fourth game, Nicol was on a roll. When Rachael hit a deep return out, it was an apt climax to a magnificent fightback by the World champion.

Nicol was richer by $6,500 after the win.

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