World No 1 Nicol David has an ominous warning for anyone hoping to take her Hong Kong Open title this week: I'm playing the best squash of my life.
It's a remarkable statement given the Malaysian has been the top-ranked woman since January 2006, has won the Player of the Year award for six consecutive years and just lifted a record sixth World Open title nine days ago.
'It's always possible to get better,' the 28-year-old yesterday said. 'You gain so much experience and this year has been a real learning one for me, especially after last year where I won all my tournaments and Commonwealth gold. It was a big thing for me to come out of that and step up. It is a challenge, but I know I'm stepping up my game each time.'
David obliterated long-suffering world No 2 Jenny Duncalf in less than half an hour in the final in Rotterdam and, with the Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open the last tournament of her year, she's in no mood to relinquish a title she has won every year since 2006.
'In the [World Open] final, I don't think I've ever played that well. It's the best performance I've had in my career. I reached another level. So now it's just bringing that feel and that high into this tournament,' added David, who last week became the first active player to be inducted into the World Squash Federation Hall of Fame. 'I always love coming to Hong Kong and I just want to bring that form into this tournament and give my all.'
Hong Kong have a record five women in the main draw after Tong Tsz-wing and Hong Kong under-19 champion Lee Ka-yi qualified yesterday, though the teenagers' rewards were daunting draws against David and Duncalf respectively.
Eighth seed Annie Au Wing-chi is confident of progressing against Gaby Huber of Switzerland in her first-round match at the Hong Kong Squash Centre this afternoon, while 15th seed Joey Chan Ho-ling, who won the Macau Open on Sunday, starts her campaign tomorrow night against Ireland's Aisling Blake. Wild card Liu Tsz-ling plays No 7 seed Camille Serme of France tomorrow.