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Day 2:
David in Explosive form
Nicol David's attempt to become the first Asian woman ever to become world champion, began with an explosive victory and the lure of another major accolade.

The 22-year-old Malaysian will become world number one for the first time if she beats defending champion Vanessa Atkinson in Saturday's semi-finals, which, on the evidence of David's performance in a 9-0,9-4,9-0
first round win over Engy Kheirallah, she is capable of doing.

David was devastating with her court coverage and relentless in her focus, hustling the world number 24 from Egypt into a 20-minute defeat which harassed Kheirallah into some uncharacteristic questioning of the referee.

"I am just trying to get used to the court ," said a deliberately downbeat David, attempting a calculated deflection of the attention, thougn her comment seemed less than crucial as she will almost certainly have to
play on three different types of court in this tournament.

"I think I have improved tactically, technically and mentally, and have gained confidence from having done all the training, but right now I'm just pleased to be getting the first round over and getting into the
groove," she said.

It was left to coach Liz Irving to talk up the young British and Malaysian Open champion. "I have not seen anyone since Susan Devoy (the four times former World Open champion from New Zealand) who can apply herself mentally so well as Nicol does," Irving reckoned.

Meanwhile Atkinson also made an impressive start, especially as her 9-4,9-3,9-4 win over Raneem El Weleily, another Egyptian, came fully 4,000 miles and five hours time difference from her last victory, in Sunday's final of the world's richest tournament, the Qatar Classic in Doha.

That elevated the Dutch woman to the world number one spot for the first time, a success which she is wisely ignoring for the time being, as in three days time it is possible that she will learn she will lose it.

"I am just trying not to think about it," said Atkinson. "I haven't had a great year and it is just good to be playing better again. I don't feel too bad despite the short break and the long journey. I was able
to get an upgraded ticket, and that helped."

Two former champions, David Palmer of Australia, and Jonathon Power of Canada. both hoping to win the World Open back, made encouraging starts in the men's event.
Palmer, who looked stiff and tired after losing the Doha final to England's James Willstrop three days ago, now summoned enough movement to see off the determined Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema 11-9,11-5,11-6.

Power, who sometimes starts tournaments uncertainly, flowed into his best form straight away, despatching Ong Beng Hee, the first home male to win the Malaysian Open, for the loss of only ten points.

"I found the rhythm straight away," said the 1999 champion. "That's rare for me because I'm often nervous at the start.

"But now I am older I am last desperate to win it, having done it before. But I'm here because I want to do it one last time."

Power was spared the mixed blessing of a meeting with his friend and compatriot Graham Ryding, because the 14th seeded player lost to the tournament's most dangerous floater, Stewart Boswell, the former world number four from Australia.

It has taken the Australian fully two years to recover from injury, but his 8-11,11-10,11-7,11-3 victory over the Canadian number two suggested that Boswell should soon be back among the seeds
himself.

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