Nicol Drawn In Group B With Nour, Massaro In Dubai World Series Finals

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- Eight times squash world champion, Nicol David will face a tough challenge at the Dubai World Series Finals from June 6-10, after been drawn in Group B with current world number one Nour El Sherbini of Egypt and defending champion Laura Massaro of England. In her task to book a semifinal berth, the 33-year-old Penangite needs to secure a top two finish in the group which also features debutant Sarah-Jane Perry of England, according to the draw results published in the tournament website, worldseriesfinals.com. Nicol, who claimed the title in 2012 and 2013, qualified for the 2016/17 season-ending tournament to be held at the Dubai Opera, United Arab Emirates after being placed sixth in the Road to Dubai Standings with 155 points. Only the top eight players will get the opportunity to feature in the tournament. Meanwhile, Group A consists of England’s Alison Waters, world number three Camille Serme of France, and Raneem El Welily and reigning world champion Nouran Gohar of Egypt. In the men’s category, Group A features Karim Abdel Gawad and Marwan El Shorbagy of Egypt, England’s Nick Matthew and Germany’s Simon Rosner, while Group B consists of France’s Gregory Gaultier, England’s James Willstrop and Egypt’s Mohamed El Shorbagy and Ramy Ashour. -- BERNAMA