Malaysian squash star Nicol David is "ready for anything" as she prepares to meet a qualifier in the opening of her defence of the title tomorrow (Wednesday) in the Women's World Open Championship in Belfast.

The world's most prestigious squash event – and the biggest ever to be staged in Northern Ireland – is currently underway in Belfast, with action from the last sixteen onwards staged on a state-of-the-art four glass-walled court in the auditorium of the city's world-renowned Ulster Hall, from 23-26 November.

World No1 Nicol David will defend the title she won for the first time last year in Hong Kong.  The top-seeded 23-year-old from Penang is enjoying a stunning run of form after notching up her fifth successive WISPA World Tour title at the Hong Kong Open last month – and extending her unbeaten run to 22 matches!

"The World Open is a huge event – one you train hard for more so than any other.  But once you're here, all you want to do is get the first round underway," said David on the eve of the event.

Strong local interest in the event has focussed on Madeline Perry, the world No6 from Banbridge - some 20 miles from Belfast – who is seeded to reach the quarter-finals.

"Madeline seems to have been busy – but that comes with the territory," said David, a mega-star in her home country.  "But she's obviously been doing a great job."

David faces a qualifier in the first round:  "You just have to be ready for anything – you have to expect tough competition in the first round."

When reminded that the World Open, with a world record $112,500 prize-fund, is the biggest ever women's squash event, David admitted:   "It's nice to be part of the biggest ever WISPA event."

A known 'shopaholic', David has already checked out the host city, and attended the Opening Ceremony at the City Hall, hosted by Belfast City Council:  "It's been nice to look around the city – with its lovely buildings and architecture.  You can really feel the history in the City Hall.  

"They say that Belfast is one of the cities of the world that you just have to visit once in your lifetime – and it's great to have been able to experience this through these championships," David concluded.

Vanessa Atkinson, the world champion in 2004, is seeded to meet David in the final – but has not enjoyed the best of recent form:

"I'm really looking forward to this tournament," said the world No2 from the Netherlands.  "I've had a poor run, so my expectations are low, which is when I usually play my best.

"The draw's tough.  If I win my first match I could play Natalie Grainger (a former world No1), which is not a draw you'd want in a second round - but there are no easy draws these days, so you just have to get on with it," explained Atkinson.

Ticket for the event are available from £5 to £15.  Full details are available on the official website www.womensworldopen.com. 

1st round draw:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Qualifier
[12] Engy Kheirallah (EGY) v Qualifier
[5] Vicky Botwright (ENG) v Isabelle Stoehr (FRA)
[9] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v Qualifier
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Raneem El Weleily (EGY)
[15] Rebecca Chiu (HKG) v Laura Mylotte (IRL)
[6] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Qualifier
[11] Laura-Jane Lengthorn (ENG) v Qualifier
[10] Alison Waters (ENG) v Qualifier
[7] Tania Bailey (ENG) v Sharon Wee (MAS)
[13] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) v Qualifier
[4] Natalie Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier
[16] Annelize Naude (NED) v Kasey Brown (AUS)
[8] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Aisling Blake (IRL)
[14] Natalie Grainger (USA) v Pamela Nimmo (SCO)
[2] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) v Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG)