David seizes eighth world crown

Published December 22, 2014

CAIRO: Nicol David regained the world title in her most exciting final, and with her most memorable performance yet, saving four match points in a row to overcome the third-seeded Egyptian Raneem el Weleily in the World Squash Championship final on Saturday.

David also extended her record of world titles to eight with her 5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 14-12, 11-5 win.

But she but had to recover from a game and 2-6 down, from 6-10 down in the fourth game, and from el Wele­ily’s constantly dynamic attacks.

During her second game crisis David worked her way patiently into the match. During the fourth game, when it seemed she must surely be beaten in a world final for the first time, she altered the emphasis of her game superbly.

El Weleily still struggled hard after the disappointment of losing so great a chance, three of her match points disappearing as, under pressure, she volleyed the ball down. She saved game points at 11-10 and 12-11 but once the match went to a fifth, the force was with David.

Published in Dawn, December 22th, 2014

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