Darwish and David claim KL titles

Top seeds Karim Darwish and Nicol David became the KL Open champions for 2011 as both completed straight-game victories in their finals against Mohamed El Shorbagy and Madeline Perry respectively.

For David it was her eighth KL final and third title in a row, while for Darwish it was a second successive appearance in the final, improving on his runners-up spot last year.

“I knew it would be a tough match. I’ve lost to her once before and I did not want to let her confidence take over the game," David told Bernama.

“It looks like an easy game but it wasn’t. I had to work extra hard to not let her play the game. I really made an extra effort,” said Nicol after receiving the trophy from the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

For her win, Nicol pocketed US$8,550 (RM27,360) while Madeline as the runner-up took home US$5,850 (RM18,720).

Her next tournament after the Kuala Lumpur Open will be the Cayman Island Open from April 5-9.

“I can’t think of the competition right now because I am still trying to focus on my match and play my best squash out there,” said the newly crowned 2010 Sportswoman of The Year who will be back to train under the guidance of Liz Irving in Amsterdam, Holland.

“It was one of my best matches in KL. I’ve never won the title before.  Shorbagy is among the top players now. His game was very attack-oriented and I had to work extra hard to win the match,” said Darwish

2011 KL Open Semifinal Review

Kuala Lumpur - The 2011 CIMB KL Open has reached its final stage and went according to seeding.

In form Azlan Iskandar of Malaysia was beaten in a highly contested semfinal matchup with second seed Mohamed El Shorbagy of Egypt.

In the pivotal second game, Iskandar held game ball but couldn't convert. Shorbagy capitalized and evened the match at one before pushing ahead. Said Shorbagy, "the second was big. I think he [Iskandar] held a game ball or two, I'm not sure, but getting that game was important,".

Indeed, he looked to be two games down to a strong looking Iskandar in front of his home crowd. After having tied the match, thereafter Shorbagy flew around the court with confidence and aggression, pursuing his brand of free squash. "I knew I could relax and play my shots being a game ahead," said Shorbagy afterwards.

Shorbagy will face compatriot Karim Darwish in the final.

Darwish dismissed Gregoire Marche in an uneventful first semifinal. The young Frenchman last appeared in Kuala Lumpur playing a one star PSA tournament, a significantly lower tournament. When asked about what it means for the forthcoming year as he builds upon this tournament, he quipped without hesitation, "it will be harder!" Lining up across from Darwish has that affect.

Nicol David continued her run as she forced aside a tough Alison Waters.

Waters, after a slow start, forced a tiebreak in the second but couldn't get ahead. David, now ahead 2-0 in games, was too strong to force another. David moves on to face a similar style in Madeline Perry.

Perry beat young Annie Au of Hong Kong in a scrappy early semifinal. Perry's pace proved difficult for Au to counter without unforced error. Regardless, it was a great run for Au as it was her best finish in a WISPA Gold event, and certainly her best finish in KL.

The 2011 CIMB KL Open finals kick off tomorrow at 3pm beginning with the men and finishes with the women's championship.

WISPA semifinal preview

Kuala Lumpur - With semifinal play set to begin today in 2011 CIMB KL Open PSA & WISPA major, lets take a look at the contenders left standing in WISPA.

Annie Au of Hong Kong has enjoyed her greatest success, having never advanced this far either in KL or in a WISPA Gold event. She acknowledges that the higher ranked players play at a much faster pace than she is used to, but she is incredibly disciplined as she slows the pace spreads the ball. Au, in a way, attempts to take away the strength of the opponent, working in the opposite manner, then jumps on the point to dictate. She is a very intelligent player and I would liken her methodology to Thierry Lincou or Azlan Iskandar. In other words, if you want to learn more advanced squash, watch her play and see how she counters her opponent. Don't confuse her soft-spoken demeanor with her court savvy play.

PSA Semifinal Preview

Kuala Lumpur - With semifinal play set to begin today in 2011 CIMB KL Open PSA & WISPA major, don't be surprised if the seeds don't end up in the final.

While Karim Darwish will certainly be the man to beat in the PSA portion of the event, he still faces first time major semifinalist Gregoire Marche. Marche has had a memorable run in this edition of the event, but he will have his most severe test yet in Darwish. Darwish's pace, precision and footwork are all complimented by his strength of mind on the court. Darwish held the World #1 ranking for several months in the past three years and hasn't dropped out of the top 5 in years. A consistent player, Darwish is heavily favored in his semifinal matchup with Marche.

2011 KL Open Quarterfinal Review

Kuala Lumpur - The 2011 CIMB KL Open continued with world class squash and not a few surprises as the event moved to the Pizza Hut Glass Show court at Berjaya Times Square Mall in Kuala Lumpur.

Qualifier Gregoire Marche continued his run defeating South Africa's Stephen Coppinger, ranked 33 places higher in the PSA World Rankings, in the final match of the the quarterfinal round. The Frenchman is the lone unseeded player to reach the semifinals, joining top seed Karim Darwish, second seed Mohamed El Shorbagy and fourth seed Mohd Azlan Iskandar.

Darwish came through tested, but unscathed as he was able to fend off India's Saurav Ghosal in straight games in a highly competitive, quality match. Ghosal continued to the end and both he and Darwish put on a demo of shot making and movement as the squash savvy crowd cheered them on in appreciation. It was the late crucial points where Darwish pushed ahead before Ghosal faded in the third.

Rachael Grinham held first match ball before succumbing to Alison Waters of England. Waters was up 2-0 in games, both won in tiebreak, before Grinham roared back into the match, spreading the ball and making Waters visit all four corners. Grinham heavily worked boasts and lobs throughout the third and fourth on the slower court. Waters was able to focus in the fifth and keep the ball straight and tight, eventually winning 13-11 in the fifth of a quality and entertaining match.

Waters will move on to face Nicol David whom was victorious over Australia's Kasey Brown in a highly contested match. Brown earned many points off her short backhand game and took a game off World #1 David before losing in four before a packed Berjaya Times Square Mall audience.

Hong Kong maintains interest as Annie Au upset World #9 Camille Serme of France. Slowing the pace down and playing relaxed, Au continues her best ever performance in a WISPA Gold event. Compatriot Joey Chan fell in straight games against Ireland's Madeline Perry. Perry moves on to face Au and you can be sure that coach Tony Choi and Chan will be in Au's corner to encourage her continued against the strong Perry.

Mohamed El Shorbagy defeated local Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan in an excellent match. Adnan came in with the right agenda, eliminating all angles and not opening up the court against the racket of Shorbagy. Adnan will regret having held a late lead before committing unforced errors. Adnan is brimming with confidence though and will look to support fellow countryman Mohd Azlan Iskandar whom will now face Shorbagy. Iskandar defeated Pakistan's Aamir Atlas Khan in a match that had a furious early pace as Khan put on a shotmaking clinic, hitting nicks from all angles and holding a significant early lead before Iskandar reeled him in with tighter squash and forced errors.

Semifinals begin tomorrow at 3pm local time and will be broadcast live on Astro TV. Check your local listings for details.

Marche Marches On In KL

French qualifier Gregoire Marche produced his second upset in 24 hours when he beat South African Stephen Coppinger to reach the semi-finals. After ousting third seed Cameron Pilley in the opening round, the 21-year-old world No72 from Aix-en-Provence dug deep to overcome Coppinger, ranked 33 places higher, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 in 39 minutes.

2011 KL Open PSA first round recaps

The 2011 KL Open kicked off main draw play with incredible squash from the PSA"s best players. Virtually every match was competitive and entertaining and the crowd at Bukit Jalil National Squash Complex absorbed it all. 

 WIth regular 'ooohs' and 'aaahhhs' coming from the Ghosal vs. Ong match and several others, the long night of squash was well worth it. 

I slept heavily but I loved every moment of the day... PSA match reports below.

2011 KL Open WISPA first round recap

The 2011 KL Open began in a highly entertaining fashion as the top ranked women on the WISPA World Tour took the courts today at Bukit Jalil National Squash Complex. 


There were a few surprises in the women's competition, as #2 seed Jenny Duncalf of England has withdrawn due to injury. 


For more details we have match reports below.

Qualifiers Chan & Marche Shine In KL

Qualifiers Joey Chan and Gregoire Marche led a flurry of upsets in today’s first round of the CIMB KL Open Squash Championships in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.  

Joey Chan, the lowest-ranked player in the women’s event, produced a sensational performance to oust Egypt’s fourth seed Omneya Abdel Kawy 11-5, 12-10, 11-7 in just 32 minutes.

Big points at Stake - round one preview

The 2011 KL Open presents an opportunity for both Nafizwan Adnan of Malaysia and Ali Farag of Egypt.

Adnan, the event's Wildcard recipient, benefits from the seeding as well and is pitted against a qualifier. Make no mistake: Farag is no rollover. It will surely be a contrast in styles as the fit, strong and durable Adnan has a sound traditional game and relies more on his legs than his racket, keeping things straight rather than a free-flowing open game.

Farag, the event's youngest entry at 18 years, is enjoying the event after wins over Kamran Khan and Siddarth Suchde. While I've yet to watch anything more than his first game against Suchde, its hard to come to a conclusion on his game other than his racket capabilities. Physically he is David and not Goliath. At a glance, you'd think Mohammed Abbas brought a relative along, exaggerated ever more with the newly shaved head. Furthermore, to date Farag has been under siege on court for two hours whereas the fresh Adnan just wants to play. Can Farag respond and dictate yet another physical match with his racket? Adnan is at an advantage and will make the most of it, playing patient squash against the youngster.

Otherwise, Farag joins Abbas, Mohamed El Shorbagy and Karim Darwish in the first round - and none of them play the other. What a feat for Egypt squash.

-- Will Mather