The tournament saw home heroes Amanda Sobhy and Natalie Grainger take out the World Doubles women’s championship, Aussie all-star team Damian Mudge and Ben Gould added another trophy to their impressive collection in the men’s division, and another Australian victory by Paul Price and Narelle Krizek in the mixed division.

In the women’s draw semifinals, top seeded US team Grainger and Sobhy defeated England’s Tina Rix and Carrie Hastings, while Australians Narelle Krizek and Natarsha McElhinny were defeated by Canada’s Seanna Keating and Stephanie Hewitt, to make the 2013 World Doubles women’s championship final an all-North American affair.

The American partnership, who just weeks ago played against each other for the individual title of National Champion in the 2013 U.S. National Championships women’s final, were this time competing as a doubles team together against the Canadian pair, who were defending champions of the 2012 World Doubles women’s title.

In the finals match, held at Brooklyn Heights Casino, Grainger/Sobhy comfortably defeated the number two seeds and defending champions Keating and Hewitt in three games, 15-7, 15-11, 15-7, to take out the title of Turner Women’s Open World Doubles Champions.

In the men’s division top seeds and defending champions Damien Mudge and Ben Gould cruised through two three-nil wins to make their way towards another championship final, beating US team Christopher Callis and Alex Domenick in the first round followed by South Africans Regardt Schonborn and Jacques Swanepoel in the round of 16.

They next won two four game matches in the quarterfinals and semifinals, against eighth seeds Imran Khan and Baset A. Chaudhry of Pakistan and USA’s Preston B. Quick and Gregory O. Park, to make their way comfortably into the championship final.

An upset in the semifinals saw second seeded men’s team Matt Jenson and Paul Price of Australia stopped in their tracks on the way to the final.  Things were looking sweet for the pair after they cruised through solid three-nil wins in all of their first three matches against South Africans Michael Koep and Brett A. Erasmus in the first round, Swedish team Gustav Detter and Anders Wahlstedt in the round of 16, and Canadians Freddie Reid and Viktor Berg in the quarterfinals.

However the strong partnership of Jonny P. Smith and Clive I. Leach of England was too much to tackle, as they defeated Aussies Ryan Cuskelly and Dan Jenson, Canadians Carl J. Baglio and Ian T. Power and Aussies Raj Nanda and Mark Price to set up the crushing semifinal match against Jenson/Price.

In the championship final, all-star team Mudge and Gould, who have dominated the pro doubles scene since they teamed up in 2010, defeated Smith and Leach in three breathtaking games to take out the Kellner Men’s Open division of the World Doubles tournament 15-8, 15-9, 15-9 and add another trophy to their impressive collection

The mixed finals played out between Australian team Paul Price and Narelle Krizek and US team Preston Quick and Natalie Grainger, with the Aussies crowned the Richmond Mixed Open World Doubles champions.

The match saw last year’s defending champions compete against one another in the final, as last year the championship was won by Quick and Krizek together.

The intense four-game match fell smoothly in favor of the Aussies in the first two games, 15-7, 15-6, but Quick and Grainger climbed back in the third from 10-6 down to take the game 15-10. However the Americans narrowly missed out on evening up the stakes in the forth, going down 15-13 in a nail biting finish to the match.

| Full results and more lots photos |

“Squash is absolutely one of the best/toughest sports,” said Agassi, the eight-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medallist in 1996. “The Games would be proud!”

Federer was one of the first leading tennis players to pledge support for his fellow racket sport: “I think it’s a wonderful sport. It’s unfortunate some sports don’t get the opportunity to be in the Olympics – I think squash would deserve it.”

Since then, fellow stars Agassi, Clijsters and Edberg have also given Squash their backing.

“I think Squash would be a great addition to the Olympic Games,” said Clijsters, one of the greatest ever players in the women’s game who won 41 WTA singles titles including four Grand Slams. “It’s a great competitive game and different from the other racket sports in not having a net dividing the players.

“It shows great intensity. With the modernisation of the game I think it deserves a place in the Olympic Games.”

Edberg first started playing squash when he was on the ATP Tour and used to play in the top Swedish league: “Squash has all the credentials to be an Olympic sport – it would complement the other racket sports that are already part of the programme and it would be great to see it included in the Games,” said the former world number one and Olympic gold medallist.

World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran is delighted by the growing list of world top athletes who are backing the sport’s bid for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games programme.

“It is heart-warming to have tennis idols like Agassi, Federer, Edberg and Clijsters supporting Squash’s campaign – and equally gratifying to see top athletes from sports like rugby, cricket, football, cycling, badminton, weightlifting, diving and shooting rallying to our cause.”

Peter Nicol MBE and fellow former professional Tim Garner launched the Xodus 7 Continent Challenge in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands on the edge of Antarctica just over a week ago – then traversed the globe via Santiago in Chile; Sydney in Australia; Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; Cairo in Egypt; and London in England before reaching the climax of their bid to contest 7 Squash Matches in 7 Days on 7 Continents to raise the profile of Squash’s campaign to join the programme of the 2020 Olympic Games in Connecticut in the USA on Saturday.

“DONE!” tweeted Garner after the intrepid pair rounded off their mission at the new 12-court Chelsea Piers Club inStamford, where Nicol edged to a 4/3 series victory in the squash challenge – after seven matches, 32 games and more than six hours of playing time!

“70 hours on airplanes, 40,000 miles of travelling and seven matches completed. It’s been an incredible week!”

President Ramachandran is full of admiration of the pair’s efforts: “Both Peter and Tim have already made significant contributions to the sport – Peter as a former world champion and world number one and Tim as director of major events like the British Open, World Series Finals and Canary Wharf Classic.

“But this went beyond the call of duty – it was an extraordinary pioneering mission of epic proportions which has caught the imagination of sports enthusiasts the world over and has done much to boost our Olympic bid.”

Garner, a former world No26, later commented: “We set out on Xodus 7 Continent Challenge to help highlight the profile of the 2020 bid and raise some money for two worthy causes. I think it did just that – and more, as each and every venue had pushed the boat to make their event special and in doing so did much for squash in their community.

“It has been a tough challenge, but I am pleased that we both managed to come through it relatively unscathed, though it may take a few days to recover as the muscles and bones are feeling a little weary!

“It was great to spend a week with one of my best friends – who, fittingly, I met through squash – though it was annoying to lose to him in the decider!”

On the journey back to London, Nicol added: “As we set off on this incredible journey, I was apprehensive for several reasons but also hugely excited. From landing in the Falklands all the way through to Stamford, CT, we were wonderfully surprised with the reaction from local squash players, the media and, to be perfectly honest, by our bodies to playing. We both expected to find the squash the hardest aspect of the tour but were delighted to find out that we were still capable of playing to a decent standard over the course of seven days.

“Tim and I both feel squash deserves a chance to be in the Olympics and if our Challenge helps in any way, then it’s been very worthwhile. We are also proud to have raised significant funds for both our official charities and for each of the local venue charities as well.

“Personally I would like to thank Tim for conceptualising, planning and executing the Xodus 7 Continent Challenge. He has served squash tremendously well now for 20 years in all different capacities and deserves great credit for what he does for the sport, most of which goes unnoticed. I also really enjoyed spending time with one of my best friends on an unforgettable journey. To win the deciding match was rather pleasing as well!!”

As well as profiling the Olympic Bid, the Xodus 7 Continent Challenge has raised monies for two squash causes: The first theLV= SOS Kit Aid Scheme, and the second Natasha’s Steps, a trust set up help young squash player Natasha Drake who is recovering from an idiopathic bleed on her brain.

Follow Squash’s 2020 Olympic campaign on Twitter at @Vote4Squash and Like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BackTheBid2020

Read Garner’s daily Xodus 7 Continent Challenge blogs on http://squash2020.com/

“It is indeed recognition of your devotion and valuable contribution for the promotion of national and international squash and bring laurels for the country,” said POA President Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan in a letter inviting Khan to become an individual member of the General Council.

“I’m sure your vision and active participation will strengthen and promote the Olympic Movement in Pakistan,” continued Hasan.

Widely acknowledged as the greatest player in the history of the Squash, Jahangir Khan burst onto the international scene as a 15-year-old in 1979 when he became the youngest-ever winner of the World Amateur Individual Championship. In November 1981, he became the youngest World Open champion of all-time at 17 – and went on to establish a remarkable 555-match unbeaten run over five and a half years, winning six World Open and a record 10 British Open titles.

A former Chairman of the Professional Squash Association, Jahangir was President of the World Squash Federation from 2002-2008 and is now the federation’s Emeritus President. Khan was nominated as ‘Sportsman of the Millennium’ by the Government of Pakistan.

WSF Secretary General George Mieras was delighted to hear of the former President’s latest appointment: “Since his remarkable achievements on-court, Jahangir has made a major contribution to the sport as an ambassador and figurehead – and, as our President in 2005, led our first bid to join the Olympic Games with distinction.

“His new position with the Pakistan Olympic Association is a further testament to the status he enjoys, both at home and around the world.”

Their support follows the launch last month of a new online campaign to build support for Squash’s ambition to join the Olympic Games using the Twitter ID @vote4squash. The World Squash Federation (WSF) campaign has already gained the support of current and former athletes including Roger Federer, Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Victoria Pendleton, Greg Searle, and Squash legend Jahangir Khan.

WSF CEO Andrew Shelley said: “It’s great to have the support of members of the England Rugby team, particularly given Rugby Sevens’ success in gaining a place in the Olympic Games at Rio in 2016.

“We are entering a crucial few months in our campaign to join the Olympic Games Sports Programme and building online support and awareness is an important part of our campaign strategy.”

The 24th WSF Men’s World Team Championship, hosted by the Fédération Française de Squash, will be held from 9-15 June in Mulhouse, at both the Espace Squash 3000 Centre and the Palais Des Sports - where action will take place on three all-glass showcourts.

It was in the French city of Nimes last year that the French Squash Federation first unveiled its three state-of-the-art all-glass courts at the 2012 Women’s World Team Championship.

“Thanks to the acquisition of three glass courts (which is a first for a national federation in the world) we have noticed a very significant increase of interest from the media, and especially TV, for squash,” said FFS President Jacques Fontaine. “This tool is specific to squash and unique in sport today.

“The 32 nations expected in Mulhouse will provide a fantastic spectacle.”

Egypt will defend the title men’s world team title they won for the fourth time in Germany in 2011 after upsetting favouritesEngland in the final in Paderborn.

Hosts France, twice runners-up, will be looking to win the title for the first time.

Botswana and Poland will be making their first appearances in the championship.

The full list of nations participating is (in alphabetic order): Argentina, Australia, Austria, Botswana, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, USA and Venezuela.

Using the Twitter ID @vote4squash and hashtag #vote4squash, followers are being urged to show their support and help turn Squash’s Olympic ambitions into reality. The initiative has already seen #vote4squash trending in Malaysia, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and Australia.

World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran said: “Our 144 Member Federations and the leading players on the PSA and WSA World Tours are really getting behind this initiative to encourage as many fans as possible to register their support for our Olympic campaign. This comes on top of our existing use of Facebook and YouTube where our 2020 campaign film has registered nearly 100,000 views since being posted in December.

“The next few months are crucial to our bid and using social media to demonstrate the huge passion there is for Squash to become part of the Olympic Games is important as we head towards our presentation to the IOC Executive Board in May.”

Malaysia’s seven-time World Champion Nicol David added: “It is great to see so many people register their support for Squash to join the Olympic Games in such a short space of time. With #vote4squash trending this week on Twitter in countries as diverse as Malaysia, the UK and Egypt, it shows the global reach and popularity of Squash and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Nick Matthew, two-time Men’s World Champion, said: “This is a great initiative and there is a real buzz among all the players competing on the Tours about our Olympic bid. We want to demonstrate to the IOC the global popularity and reach of Squash and I’m sure this online call to action will help to do this.”

“I think it’s a wonderful sport. It’s unfortunate some sports don’t get the opportunity to be in the Olympics,” said Federer. “I think squash would deserve it. They run a great tour and they have great players and characters. I’d personally be very happy for them.”

The 17-time major champion had the opportunity to meet women’s squash world No1 Nicol David at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. Federer expressed his support to David and revealed he played the sport growing up.

“I used to play it a lot when I was younger every Sunday with my dad,” Federer said. “I started with a wooden racquet like I did in tennis. I’ve always been a big fan of the sport.”

Federer and David conversed over dinner. David, a native of Malaysia and resident of Amsterdam, was thrilled to spend quality time with the Swiss superstar.

“It was exciting. He’s such a great guy and true champion,” said David. “He’s so down to earth. He showed us what it’s like behind the scenes to be a tennis player.

“It’s very similar to squash,” added the 29-year-old from Penang who has topped the women’s world rankings since August 2006. “So it’s been great to spend time with him.”

When asked if she played tennis, David said: “I’m a tennis fan but not a player. I follow Roger’s progress and he definitely brings the sport up to another level.”

World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran was delighted by the tennis star’s endorsement: “It is fantastic to have Roger Federer supporting Squash’s campaign to join the Olympic Sports Programme.

“His endorsement means a great deal because he is a true sporting icon who knows what it means to compete at the Olympic Games.”

“Squash has enjoyed a tremendous recent run – beginning with the successful IOC inspection visit to the Hong Kong Open early in December, and followed shortly afterwards by our presentation to the IOC Programme Commission in Lausanne,” said Ramachandran.

“And this weekend we were not only treated to the best live TV coverage of the sport I have ever seen, on Sky and Eurosport, but also an avalanche of positive press coverage around the world – all of which is inspiring me to feel that we have made huge progress since our last Olympic bid four years ago.

“We know that one of our challenges was the televisual aspect of squash – but, thanks to the significant investment in SquashTV by our colleagues at the PSA, our coverage is now first-rate,” added Ramachandran. “The clarity of the ball, the regular use of super slow mos, and the introduction of ‘video reviews’ have all contributed towards a television ‘product’ which is streets ahead of what we were used to in the past.

“And this was endorsed by new broadcasters adding squash to their programming this weekend, expanding our reach to a potential worldwide audience of more than 300 million,” concluded the WSF President.

Ace cyclist Victoria Pendleton, a gold medallist at London 2012, joined fellow British medallists Joanna Rowsell andGreg Searle at last week’s PSA World Series Finals in London.

“Squash is a very physically demanding sport and it’s also very spectator-friendly,” said Pendleton. “It has all the qualities required to make it a great Olympic sport. I don’t know why it isn’t in already.”

“Squash is a very physically demanding sport and it’s also very spectator-friendly,” said Pendleton. “The nature of the game means that it works really well – it’s fast and exciting – and it has all the qualities required to make it a great Olympic sport. I don’t know why it isn’t in already.”

Pendleton has trained alongside English squash star Nick Matthew in Manchester – and watched the world number two in action against his fellow Briton Peter Barker at The Queen’s Club in London. Matthew is also engaged to sports scientistEsme Taylor, who has worked with both Pendleton and Rowsell as part of her role with the Team GB cycling team.

“I think it’s really interesting that you can have a sport like squash which is so universal.” said Searle. “You have it played in over 150 countries and people of all different shapes and sizes can play it. Each sport is different and has different properties. In rowing, if you’re not 6ft 5 it’s hard to compete, but squash can be played by everyone.”

Pendleton added: “In a sport that translates well onto TV then that’s really how you can draw people into it and get people to try it. The whole idea is to give people the opportunity to get involved. I would love to have a go at squash but I think it would take me a long time to get to grips with it!”

Pendleton, Rowsell and Searle were also introduced to women’s world No1 and seven-time World Champion Nicol David. “It’s such a total honour to meet you,” Pendleton told the Malaysian. “Your consistency is incredible and you really are amazing.”

On showing David her Gold and Silver medals from the London 2012 Olympic Games, Pendleton said: “You so deserve to have one of these.”

Picture (by Jordan Mansfield)  features (L to R) Greg Searle, Nicol David, Victoria Pendleton and Nick Matthew

For the second successive year, the World Open was to be decided by a Malaysia versus England finale, this time featuring world No.3 Laura Massaro.

David had dispatched last year’s finalist Jenny Duncalf in straight games in the semi-finals, as well as 2010 finalist Omneya Abdel Kawy in round one.  Further defeats of Annie Au in round two and a four game win over Madeline Perry ensured that the Malaysian was able to defend her six World Open titles.

By contrast, Massaro experienced over three hours of court-time on her way to the final, including a dramatic five-game thriller against second seed Raneem El Weleily in the semi-final, and a 51-minute effort to dispatch local hero and qualifier Nicolette Fernandes in round two.

David has been on the receiving end of an upset from Massaro, losing to the Englishwoman in both the Singapore Masters and the Cleveland Classic in 2011, but the world No.1 has avenged these losses with six wins over Massaro in WSA events in 2012.

The defending champion made a solid start to her fifth successive World Open final, establishing a three-point lead which was held for the majority of the first game.  Massaro attempted to close the gap after a tentative start to her first World Open final, but David was too far ahead and closed out the first game 11-6.

The second game was much closer, with the Englishwoman matching David’s line and length game plan, whilst causing some problems for her opponent.  The Malaysian’s response to a challenge is to simply up the pace and she did just that. She weathered the storm created by Massaro’s pressure, before coming through the business end of a pivotal second game to extend her lead.

David refused to falter in her dominance, and the experience of six previous World Open finals weighed heavily to her advantage.  She ran out another early lead in the third game, and a dejected Massaro settled into the game too late to do any serious damage to her opponents 5-point lead.

A stroke and a tin gave the 29-year-old from Penang championship-point and she leapt on a loose Massaro shot to drive home her seventh World Open title.

“I can’t believe it,” exclaimed a delighted David. “I’m so pleased with my game tonight.  Laura played so well and was pushing me on every point, I just couldn’t relax at any time, she played a brilliant match today.

“I was focused, but I had to step up another gear to win today.  I just wanted to win so much.  To win again in Cayman and that seventh world title… I wanted it all!

“It’s been a great experience here again, I’ll try to see a bit of the island tomorrow before I leave!  Thanks to Dan [Kneipp, Promoter], the sponsors and organisers, and the fantastic Cayman crowd, we feed off their energy, and they all do it better than anywhere else we go.”

Cayman World Open 2012, presented by BDO, Final:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [3] Laura Massaro (ENG)  11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (44m)

As is often the case, El Weleily took a few minutes to get her eye in while Massaro quickly extended a four-point lead.  Once the Egyptian’s shots began working however, she stormed through a quick first game, closing it out with Massaro able to register just one more point.

The Englishwoman fought her way back into the match, establishing runs of points and claimed the second game to level the match.  She never quite got a foothold in the third game, staying with her opponent but always a point or two behind, until the world No.3 saved four game-balls to force the tiebreak.  El Weleily would close out the game after two Massaro volleys clipped the tin.

A dominant fourth-game went in Massaro’s favour, with the Egyptian unable to register any real threat, setting up a nail-biting fifth game finale.  Massaro reached match-ball first, and was disappointed when a let decision was given instead of a stroke against her opponent.  El Weleily stayed strong to force the tiebreak, but both players were showing signs of nerves as the errors continued to creep in at the wrong time, before two mistakes from the 23-year-old from Alexandria sent Massaro through to her first World Open final.

“We’ve been taking turns at winning and swapping in the rankings all year, so it’s fitting that there was just a couple of points between us in the whole match,” an emotional Massaro told SquashSite.

“You always know with Raneem there are going to be patches where she hits winners, you just have to hang in and come through them.  It feels great to reach the World Open final, I’m so happy!”

“Now it’s all about getting the right preparation for tomorrow. I haven’t been to swim with the Dolphins yet, it looks like [husband] Danny will have to go on his own now!”

Massaro will be joined by world No.1 Nicol David in the World Open final, with the Malaysian on the prowl for her seventh World Open title in eight years.  The top seed defeated Jenny Duncalf in her semi-final contest, in a repeat of last year’s World Open final in Rotterdam.

Duncalf, keen to set the record straight after a humbling 0-11 loss in the third game of last year’s final, made a steady start to last night’s match, feeling her way into the contest and registering some good points.

The Malaysian was made to work throughout the opening exchanges, but maintained a small lead as the game progressed and took three points in a row to claim the first game.

David increased the pace and saw the Englishwoman begin to struggle as the top seed extended a strong lead in the second before closing it out.

A similar pattern occurred in the third game, with the scurrying retrieval and powerful hitting simply too good for the former world No.2, as David progressed to her seventh World Open final in straight games.

“Jenny was playing some great shots at the start, I just couldn’t tell where the ball was going next and I wasn’t able to play my own game,” said Nicol.

“I really had to up my game to stay in it, and thankfully I got it all together as the match wore on.

“It’s great to be in another final here, especially the World Open!  Laura and I both know we have to step up our games for tomorrow, so it should be a great battle.”

Cayman World Open presented by BDO, Semi-finals:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [6] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)     11-7, 11-4, 11-2 (37m)

[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY)     5-11, 11-9, 12-14, 11-4, 13-11 (69m)

Official Site: www.worldopensquash.com

Raneem El Weleily also made a first semi-final as she found her shots to beat Natalie Grinham in three, and to finish Madeline Perry gave six-time champion Nicol David a real test before the world number one reasserted to win in four.

Cayman World Open 2012 presented by BDO, Quarter-Finals:

[1] Nicol David (Mas) 3-1 [10] Madeline Perry (Irl) 11/3, 11/7, 9/11, 11/3 (51m)
[6] Jenny Duncalf (Eng) 3-2 [4] Alison Waters (Eng) 7/11, 17/19, 11/5, 11/4, 11/9 (77m)
[3] Laura Massaro (Eng) 3-1 [7] Low Wee Wern (Mas) 8/11, 11/4, 11/5, 11/5 (46m)
[2] Raneem El Weleily (Egy) 3-0 [11] Natalie Grinham (Ned) 11/9, 11/9, 11/7 (26m)

Comeback Queen Jenny

The first quarter-final of the Cayman World Open presented by BDO was an all-English affair between two opponents who know each other well but hadn’t played competitively for just over two years, but that didn’t show tonight as they fought out another five-setter that was as close as can be.

The opening game and a half were a bit scrappy – Duncalf’s description – as they got used to the slightly cooler, windy conditions, and it was Waters who won that segment of the match, taking the first 11/7 from 5-all, and going 7-2 and 9-4 up in the second.

That game turned into the one that no-one wanted to win – Duncalf came back to 9-7 more on the back of a lapse in concentration from Waters, and both mixed nice winners with inexplicable errors as the score crept up and up. Eventually Waters took it 19/17 with a trademark volley drop but Duncalf was well into the match now.

The next two games were comfortably Duncalf’s, 9-4 in the third and 6-0 in the fourth were converted 11/5 and 11/4 and we had a decider.

There were no big leads in the final game, both playing fluently now, and with hardly a point to split them the score reached 9-all.

A volley into the tin for once from Waters brought up match ball, which was decided with one of the best rallies of the tournament, Waters not quite catching hold of Duncalf’s crosscourt and tinning again.

Jenny has normally been the higher seed when these two have met, and the delight she showed on that final point spoke a lot of the trials she’s been through of last as her ranking has slipped. Another World Open semi-final does wonders for the confidence though.

“It was a bit scrappy at the start, but in the second I was starting to feel much better, and even though I lost it I felt the momentum had turned towards me.

“On the final point I knew she would be there to hit a crosscourt but I played it anyway and fortunately it just clipped the tin. Delighted to win, a bit disappointed for Al too, but not that much!

“We all love playing here, the whole vibe is great and it makes you feel so relaxed on court – and it wasn’t too hot tonight which was a bonus!”

[3] Laura Massaro (Eng) 3-1 [7] Low Wee Wern (Mas) 8/11, 11/4, 11/5, 11/5 (46m)

Massaro double up for English

Laura Massaro made it two English semi-finalists with was was ultimately an impressive and dominant performance against Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern.

The match started out with controlled and patient rallies, and although Massaro opened up from 3-all to a 6-3 lead, it was the Malaysian who started to get the better of things as, much to Massaro’s frustration, Low moved ahead 10-7, taking the lead on her second game ball.

That proved to be a temporart blip as far as Massaro was concerned though as she proceeded to dominate the next three games, increasingly catching Low out with boasts and crosscourt flicks.

She established leads of 6-1 in the second, 9-2 in the third and 5-0 then 10-3 in the fourth, with cries of “Cmon” emanating regularly from Massaro herself and from watching husband Danny as the Englishwoman maintained her unbeaten record against Low to win in a round 45 minutes.

“She gets so many ball back, whenever I play her I have to try to keep my aggression up, that’s where all the “cmons” help. I’ve become better at dealing with the pressure of being expected to win over the last couple of years and that’s helped me improve my consistency and my ranking.

“I’m so pleased to make a first World Open semi-final, I’ll just take each match as it comes now.”

[2] Raneem El Weleily (Egy) 3-0 [11] Natalie Grinham (Ned) 11/9, 11/9, 11/7 (26m)

Raneem edges it

Second seed Raneem El Weleily won through to a first World Open semi – she was actually playing her first quarter-final – with a straight-games win over four-time finalist Natalie Grinham that was anything but straightforward.

Both have abundant racket skills and both are willing retrievers, and the match quickly settled into the expected pattern of short, sharp rallies with winners coming from unexpected places from both players, with of course a few tins thrown in for good measure.

From 5-all in the first the Egyptian found her mark enough times to build a 10-6 lead, finally taking the lead with Grinham closing, 11/9.

The second was even, all the way to 9-all, but a tin and a stroke did for the Dutchwoman as Weleily repeated the 11/9 score to go two up.

A 4-0 start for Grinham in the third, but Raneem’s shots were going in more consistently now and she levelled at 6-all with a volleydrop glued to the wall. More sublime shots took her to 10-6, and after missing out on the first attempt she took the match with a wrongfooting return of serve that left Natalie rooted to the T.

So it’s not to be a fifth final for Natalie, who will feel aggrieved not to get at leas a game, she certainly deserved that, but it could well be a first for Raneem.

“I played better today than I did yesterday, and I’m thankful for that,” said the winner. “Natalie has great racket skills and it’s always difficulty trying to stay focused and consistent when you play her sdo I’m pleased I managed to do that today.

“I’m really happy to make a first semi-final and I hope I can play as well tomorrow and make the final.

“I haven’t seen much of the island so far, but I’ve seen lots of photos of the other girls with the dolphins. I haven’t been to see them yet, and I hope I don’t get the chance to!”

[1] Nicol David (Mas) 3-1 [10] Madeline Perry (Irl) 11/3, 11/7, 9/11, 11/3 (51m)

Nicol steps up in the end

Defending champion and top seed Nicol David started the final match of the day well in control against Madeline Perry, taking the first game 11/3 with the Irishwoman struggling to get a foothold in the match.

David finished it in the same vein with Perry struggling to match the pace injected by the Malaysian who won the final game 11/3 as well.

But in between Madeling gave the world number one a really good challenge. During the second and third games there was hardly a rally that wasn’t long, well executed, and plain tough. Each one had to be won, and the 10th seed was winning her fair share of them, often outmaneouvring Nicol, which isn’t an easy thing to do.

Nicol always had a slight edge in the second, which she took 11/7 after being 10/5 up, but Perry was in the ascendancy y throughout the third despite Nicol’s best efforts, and they were considerable. Madeline moved to 10-7 with a lovely crosscourt finish to a well worked rally, thought she;d blown it when she tinned a sitter at the end of a similar rally, but held on to take a well-deserved game 11/9.

That was the end of it though as Nicol resumed dominance in the fourth. “It was a really good game, I enjoyed it,” said Madeline, “but once she stepped up the pace in the fourth I just couldn’t live with it any more.”

Nicol was as much relieved as pleased: “Very happy to win that,” she said, “Madeling kept plugging away and coming back at me even when she was 2-0 down. She was really firing it in and I knew I had to do something. I had to step my game up in the fourth and everything was coming off for me, but it wasn’t easy.

“It seems that everyone I play here I’ve played in finals before, it shows that the standard is so high and there’s no easy games! “

Official Site: www.worldopensquash.com

Play the clips below to see how Nicol David and Ramy Ashour compellingly highlight the strengths of the squash case and what competing in the Olympic Games would mean to them.

The second video is a visual illustration that squash is played all over the world, with players from many of them taking part by self-filming their national identity.

Nicol David and Ramy Ashour make the case

Squash is played at The Ends of the Earth