One last match for me and I wanted to give it all I had against Natalie Grinham in the finals. The match went on and on in the first game. She was using the height of the court a lot while I was trying to get onto every shot possible. It was a close game but it was a whole different case in the second game.

She just got the feel of the corners and I made a few errors that got her 8-2 up. I wasn’t happy with that so I fought hard to take it one point at a time. I found my momentum, she made a few mistakes and it carried on up til I won the game 11-8.

After taking that game, I went in firing through with whatever I got. Some retrieving from both of us made it entertaining for the crowd with our rallies. I had a better lead in the third but I could not let my guard down at all. I won 3-0 with a sigh of relief that I’m finally done after 3 tournaments in a row.

Thanks again for the support I’ve had from those following SquashStars!

The Finalists

Today was all go from my side making sure not to fall into Alison’s game. The first and second games had a variety of shots going on from both of us. I took it one step further with my selection of shots to keep her moving.

The next game afterward was a whole new Alison, hitting 4-5 straight winners right off my serve. She seemed to relax and go for her shots while I tried to readjust to compose myself. After she took that game, I got hold of the lead before she did until the end of the match. She still fought through some unreal rallies and I knew she wasn’t giving up for one second.

Happy with my performance but looking forward to Natalie Grinham in the finals. Keep on the look out…

After some long matches in the other quarter-final matches, we finally got going by 10.30pm. Both of us eager to get on court by then.

To give you a brief summary, Laura was on form while I was trying to keep my focus together throughout the match. That was how it went all 60 minutes of it. She did take the second game quite comfortably but I fought through in the third and fourth not to let her gain her confidence.

I took the fourth game with full force at the start to lead 6-0 then I just had to make sure I kept it that way and managed to win it 3-1 at the end.

It’s Alison Waters again but this time in the Semis here. Her match with Jenny Duncalf went on for 80 minutes yesterday! Wish me luck!

Caught up with some family in Singapore! In this picture is my cousin Mel and his wife Susana.

It’s the first round of the Singapore Open at the Kallang Squash Centre and I had to face Samantha Teran after she played another Squash Star Aisling Blake to qualify into the main draw.

I had to get used to the court straight away because Samantha had been playing her matches here during the qualifying rounds that may give her an advantage. The both of us were trying to find our momentum on court and about half way into the first game I got my movement going for me.

After the first game, Samantha came back stronger in the second with more attacking shots. She took the lead at 8-5 but I caught up again after she made a few errors that gave me the game.

Another good run for me in the third but she didn’t give anything away that easily. I was pleased to win it in 3 games and to get through the first round.

Looking forward to the Quarter finals against Laura Lengthorn-Massaro from England tomorrow.

For the official press release of Round 1, click here.

Nicol David bt Samantha Teran 3-0 (5, 8, 7) in 27 minutes