Delia Arnold: The Beauty With Spirit

Our women's squash team is doing fine so far as they proceed to semi final of world women’s team squash championship after defeating the defending champion, Egypt, 2-1.

National No. 3 Delia Arnold was the heroine as Malaysia turned the tables on defending champions Egypt to earn a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Team Squash Championship in Palmerston North, New Zealand, yesterday.

Delia played her heart out to beat Engy Kheirallah 11-9, 3-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8 in the longest tie of the day to deliver the winning point for Malaysia and hand Egypt an early exit from the tournament.

Those who are not squash's fans may know less of Delia Arnold compared to Number 1 Nicol David. But Delia is as good as Nicol but still she has a lot to do to reach Nicol's achievement. Low Wee Wern lose in the first match.

World junior champion Raneem El Weleily had given Egypt the perfect start, taking just 21 minutes to beat a weakened Low Wee Wern 11-5, 11-4, 11-4.

Nicol as a second player saved the situation by winning the match to make it 1-1. So the responsibility was on Delia's shoulder to win so that to make Malaysia proceed to semi-final. And she did so well. Thanks to Nicol for the tie and to Delia for the winning point!  

However, world No. 1 Nicol David kept the tie alive for Malaysia with an 11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 11-4 win over Omneya Abdel Kawy before Delia’s superb fightback.