Nicol, Wee Wern through to second round of 2014 British Open

Women's squash world number one Datuk Nicol David and Low Wee Wern breezed into the second round of the 2014 British Open held at the Sports Arena in the University of Hull, England.

In a first round match played early today, Nicol who is gunning for her fifth British Open title, easily disposed of Egyptian qualifier, Heba El Torky 11-8, 12-10, 11-8 in 36 minutes, according to the tournament website www.allambritishopensquash.com.

"Got through my first round against Heba El Torky, 3-0 and climbing my way out of the university to get to the glass court. Should be fun!," said Nicol in her Facebook posting.

She won the British Open in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2012.

Seventh seed Wee Wern, however, received stiff resistance from another Malaysian player, Delia Arnold before emerging with a 11-6, 7-11, 11-1, 11-13, 11-7 win in 64 minutes.

"It's always tough playing a friend and teammate, especially in the first round of a major event. Glad to come through 3-2 against Delia Arnold today. On to the last 16 of the British Open tomorrow," said Wee Wern in her Twitter account.

Nicol and Wee Wern will meet Sara-Jane Perry and Emma Beddoes respectively from the host country, in the second round, later today.

Sara-Jane, the 16th seed, defeated Danish player Line Hansen 11-6, 13-11, 10-12, 11-8 while Emma cruised to the last 16 after pulling off a major upset against 13th seed Nour El Sherbini of Egypt, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 and 11-9.

Earlier, Ong Beng Hee, the sole Malaysian in the men's category, was knocked out from the tournament after losing to eighth seed Karim Darwish of Egypt in the opening round, Monday.