KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 — World number 20th ranked player Olivia Blatchford of the United States pulled off a surprise by knocking out four times world championship runner-up Natalie Grinham to book her place in the main draw of the 2016 Naza PSA Women’s World Squash Championship today.

The 23-year-old New York native only took 33 minutes to beat the Netherlands player, winning 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 in the final qualifying match at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil here.

Egyptian youngster Nadine Shahin, 18, who is making her debut in the tournament, caused a major upset when she beat world number 25, Line Hansen of Denmark, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4.

The highlight of the day involved Egyptians Mariam Metwally and Amira Yousry, Mariam emerging victorious 11-13, 11-2, 11-2, 9-11, 11-9 in a match that lasted 68 minutes.

All eight Malaysian juniors lost in the first qualifying round yesterday.

Malaysia’s three top players in the main draw are world number five Datuk Nicol David, number 15 Delia Arnold and number 42 Low Wee Wern. They will kick off their campaign in the opening round in the main Nicol David Arena tomorrow and on Tuesday.

Delia, who is the national title-holder, will take on Metwally. Wee Wern, playing on a wild card, has been drawn against New Zealand veteran Joelle King. Both matches will be held tomorrow.

Nicol, vying to land her ninth world championship title in her own backyard for the first time after failing to do so on three previous occasions, is slated to meet 2007 champion, Rachel Grinham of Australia, on Tuesday.

Nicol won her world titles in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

First round fixtures:

(Note:[ ] denotes seedings)

April 25: [1] Laura Massaro (ENG) vs Samantha Teran (MEX), Victoria Lust (ENG) vs [14] Joshna Chinappa (IND), [15] Delia Arnold (MAS) vs Mariam Metwally (EGY), Emily Whitlock (ENG) vs [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY), [7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) vs Megan Craig (NZL), Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) vs [9] Nour El Tayeb (EGY), [12] Joelle King (NZL) vs Low Wee Wern (MAS), Tesni Evans (WAL) vs [3] Raneem El Welily (EGY)

April 26: [4] Camille Serme (FRA) vs Joey Chan (HKG), Olivia Blatchford (USA) vs [13] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG), [16] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) vs Nadine Shahin (EGY), Coline Aumard (FRA) vs [8] Nouran Gohar (EGY), [5] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) vs Donna Urquhart (AUS), Dipika Pallikal (IND) vs [11] Annie Au (HKG), [10] Alison Waters (ENG) vs Heba El Torky (EGY), Rachel Grinham (AUS) vs [2] Nicol David (MAS). — Bernama