Contrasting fortunes for M'sian players in Cleveland Classic

Two national women's squash players faced contrasting fortunes in the opening round of the 2014 Cleveland Classic Open held at the Cleveland Racquet Club in Ohio, United States, Sunday.

World number one player, Datuk Nicol David who is gunning for her second consecutive title this season, easily cruised to the quarter-finals by defeating former world junior champion Nour El Sherbini from Egypt 11-2, 11-8, 11-3 in just 40 minutes said tournament website www.squashsite.co.uk.

The 30-year Penangite who recently claimed the Tournament of Champions title in New York, will meet fifth seed Camille Serme of France who earned a hard-fought 9-11, 11-6, 11-8 and 11-5 victory over England qualifier Sarah Kippax in another first round encounter.

Luck however, was not on Low Wee Wern's side when she suffered an expected 4-11, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11 loss to unseeded Egyptian, Omneya Abdel Kawy.

Omneya however, will have an uphill task in the quarter-finals as she would square-off against fourth seed Alison Water of England who cruised into the quarterfinals after edging India's uprising star Dipika Pallikal 12-10, 11-4, 11-9.

Winners in the first round will move straight into the quarter-finals.