KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — Malaysian squash queen and world number Datuk Nicol David received a favourable draw in the 29th CIMB Women’s World Championship scheduled from March 15 to 23, at the Subterranean Penang International Conference and Exhibition Centre (SPICE) in Bayan Baru, Penang.

In today’s draw, which was attended by Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) general manager, Christopher Brodie, the seven-time world champion will face unseeded player, Emma Beddoes of England in the opening round.

Nicol is expected to take on either joint 9/16 seed, Annie Au of Hong Kong or a qualifier if she goes through to the second round.

The 30-year Penangite won the world title in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

World number six, Low Wee Wern is also expected to have an easy passage in the first round as she has been drawn against unseeded Australian, Donna Urquhart and expected to face Line Hansen of Denmark or a qualifier in the next round.

National amateur player, Vanessa Raj who gained entry through a wild-card ticket however, will have an uphill task after being drawn against world number two, Laura Massaro of England in the opening round.

The winner of the match will meet either joint 9/16 seed, Jenny Duncalf of England or a qualifier in the second round.

Vanessa Raj when met by reporters after the draw said, she does not want to think too much about her opponent but instead would try to give her best performance to increase her world ranking which is currently at 102nd position.

“My aim is to get exposure in the tournament and I don’t want to think much about Laura because this is our first meeting. I hope to improve my world ranking through this tournament and boost my chances of playing in more high level tournaments,” said the 18 year-old petite girl from the St George’s Girls’ School who had just completed her SPM examination.

The tournament is being held this year following the cancellation of the 2013 edition when both Hong Kong and Egypt had rejected the proposals to organised it. — Bernama