Nicol David Delights Local Crowds At Penang Open

Malaysia's Nicol David delighted her local fans in her hometown of Penang in today's quarter-finals of the Women's Hotel Equatorial Penang Open with another comfortable straight games win in the new WISPA World Tour event at the International Squash Centre.

Top seed David, the new world number one, despatched compatriot and close friend Tricia Chuah, the No7 seed, 9-2, 9-6, 9-3 in just 26 minutes to reach her 13th successive semi-final berth on the Tour since April last year.

The 22-year-old world champion will now face Asian rival Rebecca Chiu for a place in Saturday's final. Third seed Chiu, the reigning Asian Games champion, needed 55 minutes to conquer unseeded Hong Kong compatriot Christina Mak 8-10, 9-0, 9-3, 9-5.

David is playing in her first major event in her hometown since winning a record second world junior title in Penang in 2001.

"I am used to competing alone, so it feels funny to be competing in Penang with people who are close to me, especially my family," Nicol told the Malaysian Star. "It is only a five-minute drive from my house to the competition venue - and I am enjoying every minute of it."

There is also Malaysian interest in the other semi-final after Sharon Wee beat Egypt's eighth seed Raneem El Weleily 9-2, 9-2, 9-7. The fourth seed from Kuala Lumpur takes on Australia's No2 seed Rachael Grinham, who ended the run of New Zealand's unseeded Louise Crome in a 9-6, 9-4, 9-4 scoreline.

Quarter-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [7] Tricia Chuah (MAS) 9-2, 9-6, 9-3 (26m)
[3] Rebecca Chiu (HKG) bt Christina Mak (HKG) 8-10, 9-0, 9-3, 9-5 (55m)
[4] Sharon Wee (MAS) bt [8] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) 9-2, 9-2, 9-7 (23m)
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Louise Crome (NZL) 9-6, 9-4, 9-4 (31m)