Nicol fights back to get past Joshna

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PETALING JAYA: Malaysian squash queen Nicol David (pic) brought out her best game to see off a second-round challenge by India’s Joshna Chinappa in the Saudi Women’s Masters.
The world No. 6 dropped the first set but came back strongly to produce a 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 win over the world No. 14 Indian in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The lanky Indian, who has never beaten Nicol in 12 previous meetings, went on the attack to take the first set 11-6.
That fired up the eight-time world champion as she came back strongly to give a clinical display to finish the contest in 38 minutes.
“It was so close today. You can’t really tell by the score but it was really tough, to be honest.
“I think Joshna has improved so much. Every time we play, she’s improved and stepped up her game.
“I did think that I was playing a little too short, so I knew I had to tighten up and step forward before she could do it.
“I also tried to get a few balls past her so that I could have more time to settle in the middle.

“I’m happy with the way I played ... especially the way I came back in the second set and I’m happy to take a 3-1 win,” said Nicol, who will play Egyptian Nour El Tayeb in the quarter-finals.
World No. 7 El Tayeb served a stunner after recovering from two sets down to oust world No. 3 Camille Serme of France 13-15, 11-13, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4.
In other results, world No. 1 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt thundered past compatriot Hania El Hammamy 11-9, 11-7, 11-3.
Reigning world champion Raneem El Welily, also of Egypt, was at her best as she demolished American Olivia Blatchford 11-1, 11-7, 11-4 in just 19 minutes.