GLASGOW: Malaysia’s world number one Datuk Nicol David cruised into the quarter-finals of the women’s squash at the Commonwealth Games yesterday with a three-game victory over New Zealand’s Megan Craig.
Nicol, the world’s top player since 2006, made it through to the last eight with an 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 win.
“It was good to be out there playing better squash,” she said.
“Megan has been playing well and it was my first time playing her so it’s good to just get a feel of how she plays in the first game and then I got my bearings on the court, just feeling the court better as the match went on so I was really pleased with that,” she added.
“It’s fantastic to see, even from the first round and the crowds just keep getting better and to have the whole Malaysia crew cheering me on is always great.
“You feel that you’re part of something special. You definitely grow into the tournament. This is the second round and you just want to be out there after the hype and it’s a great feeling to be out there.
“My quarter-final will definitely be a step up and I’ll have to bring my A-game.”
New Zealander Joelle King secured her place in the quarter-finals with a four-game win over India’s Joshana Chinappa.
The world number four took a two-game lead with 11-3 and 11-8 wins but Chinappa, ranked 11 in the world, fought back to win the third 11-8.
But despite some over-zealous support for her opponent from the crowd, King gathered herself to respond and win the fourth game 11-5. — AFP