Nicol gunning for seventh world open title

National squash queen and world number one Datuk Nicol David is the top seed for the Women's World Open Championship, scheduled to begin later today at the Cayman Islands.

The first four days of the annual squash tournament will be held at the South Sound Squash Club before shifting to an all-glass court at the Festival Green on Camana Bay, said the tournament website www.worldopensquash.com.

Nicol, who has already bagged six World Open titles in Hong Kong (2005), Northern Ireland (2006), England (2008), Egypt (2010) and twice in the Netherlands (2009 and 2011) has also clinched the Cayman Islands Open for three consecutive times - 2009, 2010 and 2011.

She, however has been drawn against world number 20, Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt who became the runner-up in the 2010 World Open in the first round this Sunday.

The 29-year old Penangite is expected to meet either ninth seed, Annie Au of Hong Kong or Line Hansen of Denmark in the second round if she managed to beat the Egyptian player.

On the other hand, world number seven, Low Wee Wern will face unseeded, Sarah Kippax of England in the first round.

The winner of the match will probably meet Aussie 12th seed, Kasey Brown in the second round and world number three, Laura Massaro of England in the quarter-final.

The Malaysians will start off their campaign in the tournament when Delia Arnold takes on either Tesni Evans of Wales or Ivonne Diaz of Mexico in the qualifying round.