David & Grant Secure Malaysian Open Titles

Malaysian star Nicol David thrilled local crowds today at the National Squash Centre at Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur when she prevailed in a dramatic five-game women's final of the CIMB Malaysian Open to successfully defend the title she won for the first time last year.

Second seed David, the world No2, resisted a comeback by Tania Bailey to beat the eighth seed from England 9-4, 9-6, 2-9, 5-9, 9-3 in 85 minutes - while Adrian Grant provided English success in the men's final when he fought back from a game down to triumph 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3 over sixth-seeded Australian Cameron Pilley.

David's success brings to an end a glorious July on the WISPA World Tour for the world champion from Penang: Victory in the Qatar Airways Challenge in India earlier in the month, coupled with her hard-fought triumph on home soil in Malaysia's premier squash event, will ensure that 22-year-old David will regain the world number one ranking in the August WISPA list.

"Tania came back strong and didn't let me get on the T," said Nicol David after registering her 12th WISPA title success. "She started to play her fast game very well and I found it difficult to get refocused but in the last game I knew I had to make her work hard and take some pressure.

"I used the positive energy of the crowd to pull me through and I am delighted to have won in front of all my family, friends and supporters."

Bailey is also enjoying a breakthrough year on the WISPA Tour since winning the British National crown for the first time in February. Seeded only to reach the last eight in KL, the 26-year-old world No8 from Stamford in Lincolnshire defeated world No1 Vanessa Atkinson in the quarter-finals, then third seed Natalie Grinham in a 73-minute semi-final marathon.

"To be honest, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel after last night's semi but while my legs were a bit heavy at the start I began to get going well," said Bailey after her surprise final appearance.
"I never give up, but I wanted the fourth so much I killed myself winning it! I have proved to myself that I am back with the top girls so it has been a really great week."

Adrian Grant made his breakthrough in his first Malaysian Open appearance when he beat local hero Mohd Azlan Iskandar, the 2004 champion who was the event's top seed, in the semi-finals. Pilley, a 6' 4" tall Australian from New South Wales, drew the first blood - but the left-hander from London came back to clinch his 11th PSA Tour title after 60 minutes.

"Physically I felt fine but got butterflies after five minutes of the first," said the new men's Malaysian Open champion afterwards. "He had come out flying and caught me off guard and it took me a while to get into control".

Pilley was pleased with his performance: "It is my first tournament for a few months and hopefully I will take some confidence from here into the World Open.

"I am over the moon. I was aiming to get to the semis but I am really stoked to reach the final. Adrian was too strong at the last hurdle though."

Men's Final:
[3] Adrian Grant (ENG) bt [6] Cameron Pilley (AUS) 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3 (60m)

Women's Final:
[2] Nicol David (MAS) bt [8] Tania Bailey (ENG) 9-4, 9-6, 2-9, 5-9, 9-3 (85m)