Nicol David advances to quarter-finals of Wadi Degla Open in Cairo

Malaysian squash queen and world number three player, Datuk Nicol David kicked off her campaign in style by advancing to the quarter-finals of Wadi Degla Open Squash Championship held at Wadi Degla Club in Cairo, Egypt on Monday.

The Penangite, who is also the top seed of the tournament only took half an hour to dispatch Line Hansen of Denmark, 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 in the opening round match, said the tournament website, www.wadideglaworldsquashchamps.com.

Nicol is slated to meet the fifth seed, Nour El Tayeb in the last eight match on Tuesday after the Egyptian edged her fellow compatriot, Heba El Torky;11-4, 11-7, 7-11 and 11-5 in another first round match.

National champion and sixth seed, Delia Arnold, however, was knocked out of the tournament after she unexpectedly lost, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8 and 8-11 to the Welsh qualifier, Tesni Evans in the opening round match.

Evans will meet Egyptian qualifier, Salma Hany Ibrahim in the last eight match on Wednesday after she stunned the fourth seed and also her compatriot, Omneya Abdel Kawy; 11-7, 11-3 and 11-9 in the opening match.

Winner in the first round will advance straight to the quarter-finals. -- Bernama