Atkinson Topples World Champion David In Apawamis Final
Nicol David lost her first match since winning the World Open title in December and becoming world No1 in January when she was beaten by Dutch rival Vanessa Atkinson in the final of the Women's Apawamis Squash Open in Rye, New York.
It was the climax of the first WISPA Gold event of the year with second seed Atkinson looking to avenge her defeat by the Malaysian in the World Open semi-finals in Hong Kong.
The world number two took the opening two games, but top seed David fought back to take the next game to reduce the deficit.
In a close fourth game, it was Atkinson that reached the finishing post first, to record a 9-6 9-2 9-10 9-7 win and the 18th WISPA World Tour title of her career.
RESULTS: Women's Apawamis Squash Open, Rye, NY, USA
Final:
[2] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt [1] Nicol David (MAS) 9-6, 9-2, 9-10, 9-7