DUISBURG, July 20: Peter Nicol of Great Britain and Nicol David of Malaysia grabbed gold in men’s and women’s squash finals at World Games. Malaysian David despatched Australia’s world number one Rachael Grinham 9-4 10-8 9-1 in 36 minutes and Britisher Nicol crushed Frenchman Thierry Lincou, also men’s world number one 9-3 9-0 9-4 in 59 minutes.

Both of new world title-holders in this IOC-backed multi-sport event were second seeds - and both toppled favourites to take the titles without dropping a game throughout the event.

For former world number one Nicol, the victory marked 50th major international title of his illustrious career.

David looked in sparkling form as she took to new all-glass court in front of a packed crowd as she bounced back to race up to game ball at 8-4, before Australian resisted her first attempt, then succumbed as Malaysian took first game.

Malaysian had her own game-ball at 9-8, which she duly converted As Grinham reply hit tin. She led in third game and clinched her 9-4 10-8 9-1 world title victory - and first World Games squash gold medal for Malaysia.

Nicol forged 3-1 lead in opening game and Lincou fought back to 3-3. But those two points became last he scored until Nicol was 6-0 up in third game, when a tired shot in tin gave Frenchman his first point on scoreboard for more than half an hour.

Nicol was in devastating form, retrieving almost everything shot that Lincou could put his way. From 1-7 in third game, Lincou moved ahead to 4-7 as Briton seemed visibly tired, but once Nicol won back serve, he regained upper hand and, at match ball, cracked a low winner to back of court that gave him title.—PPI