NICOL ON COURSE FOR SINGAPORE MASTERS HATTRICK

From Dan Guen Chin

SINGAPORE, July 28 (Bernama)-- Malaysian Nicol David, the world's number one
women squash player has set her sights firmly on her third consecutive CIMB
Singapore Women's Squash Masters at the Kallang Squash centre from Aug 5-8.

The tournament which has attracted the world's top 10 women squash players
would see the Malaysian, starting as the overwhelming favourite, just like in
the previous two editions where she had reigned supreme.

The Penang-born, Nicol, whose latest conquest was the World Games title in
Kaoshiung, Taiwan, is expected to tune up for the Singapore assault after
playing in the Malaysian Open that starts Wednesday.

Australia's Grinham sisters, Rachael and Natalie, ranked 3rd and 4th in the
world, have also confirmed their participation while Britain will have a strong
presence for the Singapore Masters with Jenny Duncalf, Alison Waters, Laura
Lengthorn Massaro and Madeline Perry in the list.

The only notable absentee would be USA's Natalie Grainger, the world's
second ranked player.

Singapore Squash Rackets Association president Desmond Hill in welcoming
the biggest names in the women's tour, said the tournament offers US$53,000
(RM185,500) in total prize money.

"The CIMB Singapore Masters has not only attracted big names but has also
become a window to welcome emerging youngsters like Kasey Brown of Australia,
Mexico's Samantha Teran and Raneem el-Weleily of Egypt," he said when announcing
the event here Tuesday.

Malaysia will also be represented by Delia Arnold, Sharon Wee, Low Wee Wern
and Wei Lin Hooi in the week-long tournament.

Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Nicol who meets Netherlands's Vanessa Atkinson
in the first round of the Malaysian Open Wednesday said she hopes to make up for
the disappointment of losing the Kuala Lumpur Open final in March.

"I am now starting to get back my rhythm. It was good to win the gold medal
at the World Games. After winning, I just want to put the momentum into my
matches here.

"Though I have played against Vanessa many times before I will have to make
sure that I am at my best because all the top girls are here and we cannot avoid
the prospect of meeting a top player in the first round," Nicol told reporters
at a press conference here Tuesday.
-- BERNAMA