NICOL David showed no sign of letting up after winning a third US Open title at the expense of a rising Egyptian star in Philadelphia on Saturday.
The World No 1 avenged a shock World Championship semi-final defeat on home soil against Nour El Sherbini with an 11-5, 12-10, 12-10 win in the final.
Aside from that loss in Penang and another defeat by Raneem El Weleily in the Malaysian Open semi-finals, Nicol has been unbeatable on foreign shores since the British Open final last year, a run of 61 matches.
“I’m so pleased. Really happy to win another US Open,” said Nicol after winning her 76th WSA Tour title in 95 finals.
Since England’s Laura Massaro beat Nicol at the 2013 British Open, the 31-year-old from Penang has won 10 WSA tournaments and gold medals at the World Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Her only blemishes were the two home defeats which Nicol has avenged with her run to the title in Philadelphia.
After winning the first game against Nour, Nicol saw a game point saved before taking a 2-0 lead.
Nour fought back in the third to lead 10-7 when Nicol rallied to score five points in a row to take the title.
“I don’t believe it. I was really just in the game, I’m sill thinking that I need to keep warming up that ball,” said Nicol, who improved to 4-1 against Nour.
“Nour played such a good game of squash, and I really had to play even better because it was so difficult out there and to win that title. I think with Nour it’s more of just getting in the groove.
“I think in the second game she just found the rhythm and flow, and also just good shots and she was really putting on the pressure. So I had to keep up with that pace and, at the same time, bring my game forward so I’m really pleased with that.”
Nicol will not have much time to savour her victory though as the seven-time world champion will be back in action on Thursday at the Macau Open, a tournament she has not played in since 2001 when Carol Owens beat an up-and-coming teenager in the semi-finals.
Seeded first in Macau, Nicol will open her campaign against India’s Joshna Chinappa before a likely quarter-final meeting with Ireland’s Madeline Perry with Nour possibly in her way to the final.
Raneem leads the bottom half of the draw which also has fourth seed Annie Au of Hong Kong and Australian Rachael Grinham.