Women’s Pool A:
Nicol David (MAS)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Annie Au (HKG)
Natalie Grinham (NED)

David Retains World Series Finals in London

Nicol David retains the World Series Finals title in front of a packed Queen’s Club venue with Sky Sports broadcasting to the world. 

The world No.1 brushed aside home favourite Laura Massaro in a straight games win, dispelling any hint of an upset following the Englishwoman’s victory over her in the group stages early in the week. 

The Malaysian started the match confidently, immediately finding her length and setting about putting the pressure on her opponent.  She leapt to a 4-point lead with Massaro struggling to find a competitive length early on.  Massaro’s attacking boast, which had been so dangerous in her earlier matches this week, seemed less effective and her early attempts were punished by David. 

The rallies grew longer as the game progressed, but Massaro’s attacking threats were mostly absorbed by the seven-time world champion, whose consistency was a level above in this match. 

She closed out the first game and returned with similar vigour for the start of the second, amassing a five point lead with Massaro registering just one point.  In her struggle to finish of the rallies, the world No.3 began forcing the ball short earlier, but the movement of David proved quick and she was unable to find the killer ball. 

The third game was more of a contest, as Massaro seemed to find a decent width and length to trouble her opponent.  Her body language and court position appeared more confident and she matched David point for point up to the latter stages of the third.  Stepping higher up the court, she found some success in cutting the ball short, but at the business end of the game a trademark flat-boast hit the tin to give David a 9-8 lead.  The Malaysian took the opportunity and didn’t look back. 

A buoyant David spoke to the crowd after her win: “It really means a lot to get off to a winning start in 2013, and after losing to Laura in the week, getting back on top of things.  I’m really pleased to win 3-0, it didn’t feel like three games, it was a really great match.  Knowing that she was playing in front of a home crowd, it really made it important to start off strong and get the lead.  I thought that if she got ahead at all then she’d just be feeding off the crowd, so I had to make sure I did it instead! 

“It’s been tremendous to have had this event live on Sky Sports and Eurosport this weekend.  It’s been live back in Malaysia too and it’s amazing what they’ve done with the whole TV product.  They’ve made squash look so good, showing how the live audiences are getting involved and really showing us in a great light.

“It’s fantastic to be here with the men’s PSA World Tour too.  We’ve had the top eight players from both tours competing this week; only the best players get to play here at Queens Club and what better place to showcase our sport?”

David Returns To World Series Finals Summit

Nicol David (right foreground) has reached the summit of the World Series Finals for a second successive year after defeating Camille Serme in straight games in Saturday night’s semi-final in front of a capacity crowd. 

The seven-time World Open champion, who also won last year’s inaugural World Series Finals at Queens Club in London, needed just 23-minutes to defeat world No.9 Serme in a typically consummate performance, as SkySports broadcast the match around the world. 

The Malaysian stormed off to a five-point lead early on in the first game, with Serme struggling to get a foothold on the match.  David rarely wastes a lead of that size, and the Frenchwoman could only chip away at the deficit as her opponent did enough to maintain her advantage and close out the first game. 

Serme was able to claim a game when the pair played in the Hong Kong Open in December, but despite giving it her all, and leading 6-5 at the midway stage in the second, she was unable to force David to a deciding game.  Her game-plan was astute, but ultimately it was the error-count that let the 23-year-old down in the final game, as her search for the necessary winning shots against her opponent sent her too close to the tin. 

David spoke of Serme after the match:  “It’s so tough to play against someone in the Top10 in the world.  It’s the semi-finals now and everyone wants to pick up the World Series title.   That’s the best she’s played against me so I’m very pleased to get the win today.  We had really good rallies, but she played a few errors in the middle of the second.  She’s tough and I needed to work hard and gave her no time to settle. 

David progresses to face fellow Pool A player Laura Massaro (left in red), having lost to the Englishwoman in straight games on day two of the event.  The Malaysian remains optimistic of her chances however, “Although Laura played better in the pool match earlier in the week, I’ve felt better and better as the days have gone on, so I’m looking forward to playing her again in the final.”

Massaro seemed to start slowly in her semi-final against compatriot Jenny Duncalf, who was allowed to build a healthy lead in the first game following some excellently crafted attacking play. 

Duncalf attacked confidently, and her lead was strengthened by some unforced errors from the world No.3.  She closed out the first game in comfortable style, but Massaro raced back onto court and to a 4-0 and 8-1 lead after utilising a highly effective front-court boast.  Under pressure, Duncalf was forced into a number of errors to increase her opponents lead, but built up momentum following a run of points towards the end of the game.  

The world No.8 found the confidence to step higher up the court and constructed a comeback to 7-9, before the task became to much of an ask and Massaro gladly brought the game to a close. 

Momentum stayed with Duncalf throughout the deciding game, as she stormed to a 4-0 and 5-1 lead.  Massaro seemed dejected, but persevered with her attacking trickle-boast and levelled the scores at 7-all with some relentless retrieving. 

With the pressure building, both players hit a succession of errors to push the scores higher, until Duncalf gave away a stroke to give her opponent the advantage.  Massaro, aided by a tin from her national teammate, clinched the victory and will face David tomorrow in a repeat of last month’s World Open final. 

After the game, Massaro praised her opponent: “Jenny played very well.  She’s raised the level of her game over the last few months so it’s great to get the win today. 

“Having already beaten Nicol this week, it’s a big mental boost going into the final.  That said, she won’t want to lose so it’s good for my confidence but she’ll be up for the best of five tomorrow.”

Semi-final results:
Laura Massaro (ENG) bt Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 6-11, 11-8, 11-9 (45mins)
Nicol David (MAS) bt Camille Serme (FRA) 11-5, 11-8

Final:
Laura Massaro (ENG) vs Nicol David (MAS)

SEMI FINALS

Duncalf Victory Maximises Home Interest For Semi's

Jenny Duncalf ensures an English finalist at the World Series Finals at Queen’s Club, London this weekend after qualifying from the group stage. 

The 30-year-old from Harrogate, Yorkshire had to beat Nour El Sherbini of Egypt to see her progress to tomorrow’s semi-final round, where she will play fellow home hopeful Laura Massaro. 

Duncalf’s match, the longest so far this week at 42mins, saw a marathon first game as the players were tied at neck-and-neck from the first pointed.  Nothing was separating the pair, who were finding good range of lengths and attacking shots.  It was Duncalf who reached game-ball first, but was unable to finish off the point before Sherbini forced the tie-break.  A 21-minute first game was finally finished off by the experienced Englishwoman as two backhand drops broke the deadlock, the first an outright winner, and the second a deft flick crosscourt, sending her opponent the wrong way. 

Sherbini, world No.6 at just 17-years-old, stormed back onto court and to a dominant lead in the second game, which Duncalf’s influence seeming to have wilted since her tiebreak win.  Five consecutive points saw an 8-2 lead for the teenager, and her strong hitting and deadly front-court attacks quickly saw her level the contest at one game-all. 

Another game of cat-and-mouse ensued for the deciding contest with Sherbini just ahead for most of the game, but with Duncalf in hot pursuit.  The aggressive play from both players forced errors on occasion, but neither play was willing to give an inch with a semi-final place on the line.  Duncalf drew level at 8-all following a Sherbini stroke, and at 9-all another tiebreak seemed likely. 

The young teenager then hit an unforced error in to the tin to gift the Englishwoman match-point, and a no let against the Egyptian allowed Duncalf to progress in second place from Pool B, and into the semi-finals. 

Having already qualified from Pool A, Laura Massaro played a dead-rubber against Annie Au, who was already consigned to that fact that she could not progress to the next round. 

Playing for pride alone, the Hong Kong international made an impressive attacking effort against England’s top seed, and stormed to a five-point lead at the mid-way stage.  It was a gap that Massaro was unable to close, as Au hit winners from every part of the court and the world No.10 looked good value for her first game win. 

Storming off to a three-point lead, a similar story seemed to be unfolding in the second game.  Massaro had other ideas however, and claimed six successive points to exert her authority on the match.  Au was still looking dangerous when given the opportunity, but Massaro claimed the game to draw level. 

Again Au took an early lead, with Massaro seeming to lack a specific game plan to get the ball passed her opponent consistently.  Au held her lead throughout the game, and Massaro was unable to close the gap, as the Hong Kong player closed out a consolatory victory.

Nicol David bounced back from her defeat yesterday to confirm her progression from the group stage of the World Series Finals. 

The World Open champion defeated Natalie Grinham in straight games in the first match of the day, to ensure her place in tomorrow’s semi-final round ahead of the Dutchwoman. 

After her loss at the hands of Laura Massaro, David wasted no time in gaining the upper hand in today’s clash, winning nine-points in a row to reach game-ball.   Grinham’s attacking approached seemed a little too eager and her rush to take the ball short increased her error-count considerably. 

The second game was a closer contest, with Grinham seemingly more patient and willing to work the rallies in her favour before taking on the winning shot. The errors were not completely removed from her game, but she was rewarded with a much more competitive display. 

At 6-all, the world No.12 was in a good position to make her mark on the contest, but David had other ideas.  Upping the pace, as she is renowned for doing, and leaping onto loose balls, she closed the match out 11-8 to ensure her progression to the weekend’s semi-finals. 

David will play Camille Serme in tomorrow’s semi-final match, in a repeat of last month’s Hong Kong Open final.  Serme, having already qualified from Pool B with two victories, played world No.2 Raneem El Weleily who was yet to win a match in the competition. 

With the pressure off and playing for pride, the Egyptian set about an attacking master-class against Serme, whose own attacking fortitude was also evident in a narrow first game.  The pair continued to trade blows in the second with the scores tied at the mid-way stage, but Weleily crept ahead and held onto her lead to lose out the straight-game victory. 

Serme, already through, qualifies first from Pool B and will play Pool A runner-up Nicol David in tomorrow’s semi-final match, to be broadcast live on SkySports from 6pm.  

Friday results:

Pool A

Nicol David (MAS) bt Natalie Grinham (NED) 11-4, 11-8

Annie Au (HKG) bt Laura Massaro (ENG) 11-5, 7-11, 11-6

Pool B

Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Camille Serme (FRA) 11-8, 11-6

Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 18-16, 4-11, 11-9
 

Semi-final Fixture:

18:00   -   Laura Massaro (ENG) vs Jenny Duncalf (ENG)

followed by Camille Serme (FRA) vs Nicol David (MAS)

Day 2

Massaro Revenge For World Open Final Defeat

Laura Massaro was able to extract small vengeance for her World Open final defeat after beating Nicol David on day two of the World Series Finals. 

Massaro became the second English player to cause a rankings upset at Queen’s Club, following Jenny Duncalf’s defeat of world No.2 Raneem El Weleily yesterday afternoon. 

The first rally was a sign of things to come from both Massaro and the world No.1, as neither player wasted any time in attacking all four corners of the court.  Massaro established a small lead early on, but was soon pegged back by the Malaysian.  The scores stayed level throughout the first game until Massaro reached game-ball with David just a point behind.  A long, painstaking rally ensued as Massaro waited patiently for the opportunity to attack.  An error never game though and it was the Englishwoman who made the mistake, allowing David the tiebreak opportunity.  Two winning shots from Massaro made up for this however, as she closed out the first game. 

A similar story unfolded in the second game, with nothing separating the pair through to the midway point.  David started to edge ahead at 8-5, but a succession of uncharacteristic errors from the seven-time world champion allowed Massaro back into the contest. A further tin from the Malaysian offered up an unlikely match-ball for the world No.3 and a reaction forehand volley drop winner completed the win for Massaro. 

A beaming Laura told audiences after the match: “I feel I played well.  You have to play well against Nicol, otherwise you’re off court before you know it.  She’s just won her 7th world title, so she’s playing well which makes winning today even more special, given our final last week.  She’s a great champion and she’ll definitely be back. 

“I was just really focussed on what I needed to do to win the match today.  She’s beaten me quite comfortably in our last few matches. Even though they’ve been quite hard, they’ve still been 3-0 or 3-1.  So it’s just a case of me trying to execute my game plan.  I’ve beaten her before so its not too much of a surprise when I’m in a winning situation because I know that I can, but you don’t get yourself into those situations unless you’re doing the right things.”

The first match of the day saw Natalie Grinham keep her competition hopes alive by gaining her first win of the World Series Finals, beating Annie Au of Hong Kong. 

The world No.12 claimed a narrow first game on the tie-break, despite her backhand length often getting her into difficulty.  Au fought back to 8-8 after an early deficit and forced the tiebreak with a more consistent game-plan.  The Dutchwoman’s experience paid off as she closed out the first game, and seemed to have broken the Hong Kong international’s resolve in the exchanges that followed. 

Grinham’s retrieval was consummate, and she utilised a long backhand drop that caused Au some serious problems.  She proved too clever for the younger player in the end, and keeps her World Series Finals campaign alive to face Nicol David tomorrow’s last group stage day. 

In Pool B, another surprise result saw 18-year-old Nour El Sherbini claim another unfancied victory on English soil against compatriot Raneem El Weleily. The opening exchanges were fairly even but Sherbini refused to give in against the world No.2, and the familiarity between the pair seemed to work more in the younger player’s advantage as she closed out the first game. 

The teen’s romp continued as she stormed to a 5-0 lead in the second game, and all Weleily could do from there was to chip away at the deficit.  Sherbini looked fresh and sprightly around the court, and was lightning quick in her retrieval of Weleily’s attacking efforts.  The older player, only 24-years-old herself, never settled into the attacking rhythm for which she’s known, and a sublime backhand crosscourt volley-drop from Sherbini ended the contest, leaving Weleily’s chance of progression extremely slim. 

Following two unlikely Pool B results yesterday, the two victorious players Jenny Duncalf and Camille Serme were facing each other on both the back of a promising end to 2012.  Duncalf, who defeated Weleily on day one, was unable to exert a similar performance today, and admitted her disappointment at the way the match had gone.  Serme’s attacking play was efficient and precise throughout, crafting her points well and working Duncalf around the court.  Some excellent length allowed her time on the tee to punish the loose return, and this was a repeated strategy throughout her two-game win.  Serme raced to a 7-0 lead in the second game with the Englishwoman cutting a dejected figure on court, a stark contrast to her enthusiastic display yesterday afternoon. 

“You can’t leave the ball that loose against Camille,” she explained afterwards.  “She played really well and if you put it on her racket like that then you’re going to lose.  Tomorrow’s another day though and hopefully a good result can see me through.”

Serme was pleased with the result after her win, but refused to speculate about her progression to the semi-finals on Saturday.  She said: “I’m pleased with my performance today.  I’ve been working on some new things with my coach at home and it seems to have worked really well today. 

“I’m very pleased, though we have had some other upsets today so I don’t know yet about the semi-finals.  If I make it though, of course I’ll be very happy!”

Thursday results:

Pool A

Natalie Grinham (NED) bt Annie Au (HKG) 14-12, 11-4

Laura Massaro (ENG) bt Nicol David (MAS) 12-10, 11-9

Pool B

Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt Raneem El Weleily (EGY) 11-8, 11-8

Camille Serme (FRA) bt Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 11-7, 11-4

Day 1

Confident Queen's Return For World Champion David 

Reigning World Series Finals champion Nicol David made an untroubled return to Queen’s Club in London, with a strong win on day one of the ATCO World Series Finals.  

Featuring the eight most successful World Series competitors from 2012, the World Series Finals splits the players in to two round-robin pools, with the top two from each group progressing to Saturday’s semi-finals. 

World No.1 Nicol David moved past Annie Au of Hong Kong in straight games, and will face Englishwoman Laura Massaro in the second day of pool matches.  David seemed a dominant mood from the start of the match, and the Malaysian wasted no time in launching herself to a strong lead.  There were very few rallies throughout the contest, as both players sought early winners from hard-hitting play.  David was always ahead and rarely looked troubled, and the pace of the contest became too much for Au to cope with as David began the defence of her title with a comfortable win.

Massaro, the world No.3, got off to a good start against experienced Dutch international Natalie Grinham.  She claimed a straight-forward victory in the best-of-three contest, closing out the competitive Grinham, and whilst the game scores were close, the Englishwoman rarely looked like giving anything away.  She led 7-2 in the first game, and 8-0 in the second as Grinham’s input came too late to have any serious positive effect on the tie.

In Pool B, audiences were treated to a surprise result from home interest Jenny Duncalf.  The Harrogate-based Englishwoman got off to a great start against second seed Raneem El Weleily, leading throughout the first game and keeping ahead of the Egyptian until game-ball.  Weleily seemed to focus at this point, and began a more thoughtful attacking approach, chipping away at the three game-balls and took five consecutive points to win the first game. 

Weleily returned to court having seemingly reverted back to her error-prone first game pattern.  Despite being handed numerous points, Duncalf was still taking her own chances well, and forged a strong four-point lead which she held throughout the mid-stages of the game.  The Egyptian focus again, tightening her length and seemed more willing to rally, but the damage was done and she was unable to force another comeback. 

Duncalf continued strongly, and wasted no time in extending a lead in the deciding game of the contest. The world No.8 picked her chances well, waiting for the right opportunity to mount an attack on her opponent and with a combination of patient and attacking play, established another promising lead.  Weleily’s usual style of attack was often error-prone, and Duncalf’s length did enough to force extra errors from the world No.2 and she took the final game to claim an unfancied win. 

Duncalf was pleased with her win after the game.  She said:“ It wasn’t easy dropping the first at game-ball, but there was always another game after missing out on that.  I had the same belief at 10-7 in the second game.  I’ve had a bit of a bug over new year, but I didn’t want to miss out on this event.  The court is lovely, and takes a shot well.  There aren’t too many long, gruelling, bouncy rallies so it’s good to move on today!”

Camille Serme wasn’t expecting to make the cut for the World Series Finals this year, until she reached the final of the Hong Kong Open in December.  She played teenage prodigy Nour El Sherbini in the second Pool B match, which began as an even contest.  Serme was finding a good length but the talented 17-year-old kept herself in the game and forced errors from the Frenchwoman.  The more experienced Serme had the edge in the first game, volleying well and closed out a narrow first game win. 

The world No.9 carried her form into the second game, where she established a good lead, before a lapse in concentration allowed the Egyptian back into the game.  Serme refocused to extend her lead, and thought she’d won after claiming a Sherbini counter-drop had hit the tin.  The referees called a let-ball however, and the teen was allowed another opportunity to salvage the match.  Sherbini closed the gap to force the tie-break but not to be deterred, Serme finished of the contest with a backhand cross-court volleydrop winner to get her second World Series Finals off to the best possible start.  

Wednesday - results:

Pool A: Laura Massaro bt Natalie Grinham   11-8, 11-8

Pool A: Nicol David bt Annie Au   11-7, 11-4

Pool B: Jenny Duncalf bt Raneem El Weleily   10-12, 11-8, 11-8

Pool B: Camille Serme bt Nour El Sherbini   11-9, 12-10

Confident Queen's Return For World Champion David
1st Session Results and Player Quotes (PDF)