Deadly Duncalf Defeats David In Career-Best Win In New York

England's world number six Jenny Duncalf pulled off the most impressive win of her career when she beat Malaysia's world number one Nicol David in the semi-finals of the Women's Carol Weymuller US Open to set up a surprise all-English final of the $42,450 WISPA World Tour Silver event at Heights Casino in New York, USA.

Not only was the stunning win Duncalf's first over David in 15 Tour meetings since February 2002, but it was also the dominant Malaysian's first straight games defeat since April 2007.

Earlier, third seed Alison Waters upset Australia's second seed Rachael Grinham in the other semi-final - thus setting up the first all-English US Open final since 1993.

Duncalf quickly began to control the match against top seed David, moving her out of position and going in short at exactly the right times.

"Jenny won the first 11-6 and we all wondered what would happen in the second and if she could keep up this quality of squash," said tournament director Linda Elriani, the former world No3 from England.

"However, in both the second and third, Jenny not only keep up the quality - but improved on it! She moved super fast and effortlessly and she stayed error-free with all her precise short shots."

The 26-year-old from Harrogate went to clinch the match 11-6, 11-4, 11-3 to record her historic - and confidence-boosting - triumph.

"I'm pretty shocked," said Duncalf afterwards. "One for winning - but certainly for winning 3/0! I felt calm all the way through till the end when I thought 'Don't mess this up now!'

"I always enjoy playing this tournament and if I was going to beat Nicol, there was a good chance it would be here."

David, who celebrated her 40th successive month at the top of the world rankings this month, was philosophical about her defeat: "With all the girls, they are working really hard and going out and giving it everything. She didn't let up an inch and I just had to try and do something and she just kept on going and went right through!"

Rachael Grinham, the world No4 and four-time British Open champion, was 6-4 up on Alison Waters before their Heights Casino clash - but the world No5 from London had been successful in their most recent meeting, in August's Malaysian Open.

The higher-ranked Australian built up an early lead, but once Waters found her rhythm there was no turning back. The English underdog played a solid match and made very few errors - ultimately winning 11-9, 11-1, 11-2.

"I was really pleased to win 3/0 as Rachael is a great player," said Waters later. "We've had really close matches in the past so I knew that it could be very tough. I'm very pleased to be in the final tomorrow and looking forward to the match."

Grinham added: "I started off OK and then Ali settled into it. I wasn't covering the court the way I needed to. She played really well and is improving all the time."

The final will mark the English pair's third meeting this year - the first going to Duncalf in February's British National Championship final, and the second to Waters in the Singapore Masters in September.

Semi-finals:
[4] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [1] Nicol David (MAS) 11-6, 11-4, 11-3
[3] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-9, 11-1, 11-2