Nicol David & Amr Shabana Retain Hong Kong Crowns

Favourites Nicol David and Amr Shabana duly retained their titles in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open - but, fittingly, both players had their toughest challenges of the tournament in today's finals on the all-glass court overlooking the waterfront at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Hong Kong.

Nicol David, the world number one from Malaysia who is unbeaten since October last year, faced Australian rival Rachael Grinham in the climax of the women's $104,000 WISPA World Tour Platinum event. But the game's dominant force of the era had to save four game balls in the opening game before converting her second to open up a lead against third seed Grinham.

But the 31-year-old Queenslander - in her maiden Hong Kong final - reasserted herself in the second to draw level, after another game which went into extra points.

David maintained the upper hand thereafter, however, as the 25-year-old from Penang marched to her 14-12, 11-13, 11-8, 11-8 triumph in 53 minutes to win the title for the third time in a row.

The success also extended David's winning streak to 53 matches - and brought her WISPA World Tour title tally to ten this year!

In the final of the men's $145,000 PSA Super Series Platinum event, Shabana confidently took the opening game against second-seeded Frenchman Gregory Gaultier and moved on to game ball at 10-7 in the second. But Gaultier battled to save a total of six game balls before eventually converting his first at 14-13 to draw level.

The tables appeared to have turned as the 25-year-old underdog from Aix-en-Provence took the third game to open up a 2/1 lead - and looked on course to avenge his loss to Shabana in the 2007 final.

But Shabana came back for the fourth in determined mood and took the game for the loss of just two points - and led throughout the decider to record an impressive 11-7, 13-15, 8-11, 11-2, 11-3 victory in 76 minutes.

Like Nicol David, the 29-year-old from Giza was celebrating his third successive Hong Kong title win - and the 22nd PSA Tour title of his career.

Men's Final:
[1] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 11-7, 13-15, 8-11, 11-2, 11-3 (76m)

Women's Final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 14-12, 11-13, 11-8, 11-8 (53m)