MONACO, Nov 28: Former Welsh champion Tegwen Malik carried on where she left off in the USA last week when she upset sixth-seeded Annelize Naude in the opening round of the Women’s Monte Carlo Squash Classic, according to a Wispa press release.

The 27-year-old from Swansea, out of action for the past three years due to injury, marked her comeback in impressive style last week when she won the Washington Open in Seattle. A qualifier in Monte Carlo, Malik ruthlessly dismissed Dutch No2 Naude, ranked 21 in the world, 9-1, 9-0, 9-6 in just 24 minutes to earn a place in the quarterfinals.

Malik’s next opponent is fourth seed Pamela Nimmo. The Scot was extended by England’s Laura Lengthorn, who had a game-ball at 8-6 in the second having taken the first game. A shot brushed the side top line to allow Nimmo off the hook and back into the match which she eventually won 5-9, 10-8, 9-4, 9-7 in 47 minutes.

Rebecca Macree, the second seed, survived 9-5, 9-4, 9-3 against USA’s Shabana Khan, but Janie Thacker didn’t get into her stride, losing 9-0, 9-2, 9-0 to third seed Horner in just 14 minutes.

First round results: Natalie Pohrer (USA) bt Wendy Maitland (SCO) 9-2, 9-1, 9-0; Sharon Wee (MAS) bt Latasha Khan (USA) 9-0, 9-4, 9-3; Suzanne Horner (ENG) bt Janie Thacker (ENG) 9-0, 9-2, 9-0; Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt Vicky Lankester (ENG) 5-9, 9-1, 9-2, 3-9, 9-1; Tegwen Malik (WAL) bt Annelize Naude (NED) 9-1, 9-0, 9-6; Pamela Nimmo (SCO) bt Laura Lengthorn (ENG) 5-9, 10-8, 9-4, 9-7; Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) bt [Q] Kim Hannes (BEL) w/o; Rebecca Macree (ENG) bt Shabana Khan (USA) 9-5, 9-4, 9-3.