KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia got-off to a perfect start at the 2014 Women’s World Team Squash Championship after securing two straight wins in the preliminary pool C matches held at the Mark Sachvie Squash Centre in Canada.
The national squash side led by world number one, Datuk Nicol David secured a comfortable 3-0 win against host country, Canada, before emulating the feat against Mexico in the second match, played late Monday, according to the tournament website; www.wwt2014squash.com.
In the first match against Canada, Low Wee Wern produced a brilliant display to put Malaysia ahead by defeating Danielle Letourneau 11-6, 11-2, 11-5.
Nicol however, faced stiff resistance from Samantha Cornett before emerging with a 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3 victory before Delia Arnold wrapped-up the comfortable win by edging Nikki Todd 11-6, 12-10, 11-5.
In the second game against Mexico, Wee Wern also gave Malaysia a good start by defeating Nayelly Hernandez 11-5, 11-6, 11-3 before Nicol contributed the second point after disposing Diana Garcia 11-5, 11-3, 11-4.
Delia then wrapped-up the second consecutive win for Malaysia after breezing past Karla Urrutia 11-4, 11-3, 11-5.
Malaysia, seeded third in the tournament, will play Guatemala, later on Monday before concluding their pool matches against sixth seed, the United States, today.
Based on the tournament format, the top two teams from each of the four groups qualify for the quarterfinals tomorrow.
For the record, Malaysia’s best achievement was a third placing in the past four editions — 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012. — Bernama