NICOL David’s sudden withdrawal from the TC National Squash Championships due to back pain rocked the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil to its foundations yesterday.
It was just about the only thing anyone was talking about as the seven-time world champion had never before missed a tournament due to health concerns.
Nicol has amazingly stayed clear of injuries during her trophy-laden career and this could well be an indication of time catching up with the 31-year-old.
The World No 1 arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Monday complaining of back pain after winning the Macau Open.
But yesterday, Nicol decided to get herself checked by doctors at the National Sports Institute and a back glute strain was discovered in a scan.
Nicol was advised to withdraw from the National Championships where she was due to face Zulhijjah Azan in the quarter-finals in a bid for a fourth national title.
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia technical director Allan Soyza however played down Nicol’s absence, saying it was just a precautionary measure.
With no major tournaments in November, Nicol’s next assignment is to lead Malaysia at the World Women’s Team Championship in Canada in early December before attempting to win an eighth World Championship title in Cairo later the same month.
In Nicol’s absence, national No 2 Low Wee Wern is the clear favourite to win her second national title.
Wee Wern sent national junior S. Sivasangari packing 11-6, 11-1, 11-3 in the quarter-finals and will meet No 3 seed Delia Arnold for a place in the final.
Delia was just as clinical in beating national back-up player Teh Min Jie 11-2, 11-2, 11-3.
The top half of the draw is now wide open as a first-ever final appearance beckons for either Vanessa Raj or Zulhijjah.
Vanessa overcame Rachael Arnold 11-9, 11-9, 11-6 and will be eager to avenge her defeat to Zulhijjah at the recent trials to select a fourth member for the World Team Championship squad.
In the men’s quarter-finals, second seed Nafiizwan Adnan overcame Hannan Tarmidi 11-6, 11-8, 11-9, Ivan Yuen defeated Sanjay Singh Chal 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 and Addeen Idraki Bahtiar rallied for a 4-11,11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6 win over Valentino Bong. By Devinder Singh