FLORIDABLANCA (Colombia) • Malaysian squash queen Nicol David won her first Professional Squash Association World Tour title since December 2015 when she clinched the inaugural Ciudad de Floridablanca Women's Squash Open title in Colombia on Saturday.
The eight-time world champion dominated from the start to defeat world No. 27 Olivia Blatchford 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 in 70 minutes.
Playing in the shadow of the stunning El Santisimo statue, the world No. 7 stormed out of the blocks to take a two-game lead amid a nervy start from the American, who was appearing in her biggest final, reported the PSA World Tour website.
Play was suspended for 40-minutes at 6-6 in the third game due to rain.
After the sky cleared David, 33, closed out the win for the 81st Tour title of her glittering career and her first since the 2015 Hong Kong Open.
"It feels great to win a tournament again," said David, who topped the world rankings for nine years between 2006-2015.
"It's been quite a while and I think this is really special to have my first title here in Floridablanca. It's going to have a special place in my heart.
"Thank you so much to the people in Floridablanca for hosting us here at the El Santisimo, it's been such a special week for all of us girls here."
Blatchford relished the experience of playing one of the sport's greatest ever players.
The 24-year-old said: "It's amazing to be here and get the experience, I don't really get to spend too much time on glass courts, especially glass courts like this. To play Nicol, who is an idol in the game, is incredible."
BERNAMA
