Nicol David and Karim Darwish eye to retain Doha title

by **Wak** 2009-11-08, 12:43

October 15, 2009 - World no1 Nicol David eyes to defend the Qatar Classic title which begins here at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex from November 19-23, 2009.

The defending champion is lined-up with No2 Natalie Grinham of Netherlands for the USD 74,000 prize money.

The 26-year-old superstar, David, beat the Dutch with a flawless straight games 11-6, 11-3, 11-9 in last year’s Qatar Classic final.

The top-seed Malaysian ace, who last month (September) became world champion for the fourth time, extends her lead at the top of the October Women's World Rankings, the latest list published by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).

In men’s entry list, defending champion and world no1 Karim Darwish of Egypt will look forward to retain the title and strengthen his lead for the world ranking.

The Cairo-based, Darwish, defeated compatriot and current world no3 Amr Shabana in the final last year.

Darwish meets Englishman Daryl Selby in the first round match on November 19.

The other star attraction, world no2 Frenchman Gregory Gaultier takes on Aamir Atlas Khan of Pakistan in the first round, while third seed Shabana faces Englishman Jonathan Kemp in the opening match.