nicol, azlan enter finals

WORLD number one Nicol Ann David and national number two Mohd Azlan Iskandar kept Malaysia's hopes alive after securing in the finals of the Malaysian Open.

Nicol was given an early scare by Rachael Grinham, losing 0-9 but went on to snatch the second and thrid sets with scores of 9-2 and 9-5. Her Aussie opponent pulled one back by winning 9-4 but Nicol sealed the match after winning the final set 9-4.

Nicol meets Tania Bailey in the final tomorrow at 4pm, a high possiblity of the Penangnite securing defending her title for the third time in a row.

Azlan meanwhile was also forced to sweat it out but the Kuching player outplayed Lee Beachill with scores of 6-11, 2-11, 11-10 (3-1), 11-9 and 11-2. Azlan might face problems playing against a more consistent Stewart Boswell in tomorrow's final at 3pm.

-The Man Who Sold The World-