Nicol David & Rachael Grinham In Singapore Masters Final
Semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-9, 11-9, 11-7
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [7] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 12-10, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4
World number one Nicol David and world champion Rachael Grinham will contest the final of the Women's CIMB Singapore Masters after surviving contrasting semi-finals in the $53,500 WISPA World Tour Gold squash event in its second year at the Kallang Squash Centre in Singapore.
Grinham, the third seed from Australia, put on a dominant display against her Egyptian opponent Omneya Abdel Kawy in the first semi-final. The world number three showed her elite technique to outplay her seventh-seeded opponent.
Grinham displayed her relentless determination by coming back after being on the verge of losing, to take control of the first game. To her credit, Abdel Kawy elevated her intensity to take the second game but fell in the last two as a calf strain evidently slowed down her speed on court - leaving Grinham a 12-10, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4 victor.
"I’m very happy to reach the final in this tournament as it is the first major final I have achieved in a while," said the 31-year-old Queenslander. "It was a tight game and for a moment there, it was getting very close.
"Winning games like this always gives you the confidence to carry on into the finale," added Grinham, now in the 47th Tour climax of her career.
In the other semi, Malaysian favourite Nicol David took on unseeded Madeline Perry, from Ireland. The defending champion took the match without dropping a game, defeating her surprise opponent Perry 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 in 36 minutes.
"Madeline played very well and she pushed me all the way but I made sure I was always a level ahead throughout," explained the world's best player afterwards. "I kept a clear eye on the ball and got to play the shots I wanted to."
Looking ahead to her opponent in the final, Nicol said: "Games with Rachael are always tough. We played in the semi-finals last week in Malaysia and I always know I must prepare myself to expect anything when I step onto the court with her."
David, one win away from the 30th WISPA title of her career, is celebrating her 44th appearance in a Tour final.