2010 Hong Kong Open: Nicol David’s Super Sixth
“My game got stronger and stronger as the tournament went on. Being here on the glass court has always inspired me, and since I won my first world title here in Hong Kong, I always want to do well here,” exclaimed Malaysia’s Nicol David upon her 2010 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open victory.
Britain’s top seed, Jenny Duncalf was made to face defeat at the hands of the Malay. David kept the win short and simple as the match lasted forty minutes and got a straight set win over the Britt.
The sportswoman took the first set 11 games to 6, clearly proving to be the better player. Duncalf and David however, went nip and tuck in the second set. The two were tied 10-10 at one stage during the set.
Nevertheless, Nicol bagged the second set based on her 12 point to 10 win. As the match proceeded, Duncalf could either make it or break it. With two sets in hand, David remained focused on taking the deciding third set.
The athletes remained evenly matched as they were tied 10 points to 10 for the second time in the match. However, similar to the second set, David clinched the game by winning the deciding set 12-10.
“I knew that Jenny would come out fighting,” said the delighted winner afterwards. “All the other girls raise their game against me, so I know I have to raise mine.”
Conclusively, David stated that she felt great winning in Hong Kong, especially with the World’s right around the corner.
Prior to her win, David cruised through the initial few rounds to defeat England’s Laura Massaro in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Massaro was beaten 11-6 and 11-8 in the first two sets. She came back in the third set with an 11-9 win, only to fall as Nicol took the final set 11 points to 9.
Alongside, Jenny Duncalf played Australia’s Kasey Brown in her draw of the quarter-finals. Kasey was made to face defeat as she lost 11-7, 11-9 and 11-6 in straight sets.
As Duncalf proceeded further to the semi-finals, so did David. The Malay was opposed by Australia’s Rachel Grinham. Even though Nicol lost the first set 7-11, she came back to win the remaining three sets 11-4, 11-4 and 11-4 to make a place for herself at the finals.
England’s Alison Waters was on the losing end as Duncalf defeated her 11-7, 11-9 and 11-8, in spite of the fact that she lost the first set 10-12 and the fourth set 11-13.
Unfortunately though, to Duncalf’s dismay, she came in second at the championship. David’s win however, marked her sixth successive title this year, amongst her tally of 47 tour titles.
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