David started very well at a fast pace, and Bailey had trouble keeping up with it. She raced to a 7-1 lead in no time but Bailey continued to fight. Serve changed hands several times at 7-2, David dropped another two points and the first game in the bag after 18 minutes.The second saw David starting well as well, and she seem to have shrugged off her 'slow starting syndrome'. She led 3-0 and 4-1, then handed over the lead to Bailey at 6-5. After that, Bailey only got one more serve as the Malaysian strolled home to take a two game lead.
Many had thought the third would be a quick affair, especially when Bailey looked drained at the end of the second game, but I was so wrong. David somehow slowed down the tempo, allowed Bailey back into the match and Bailey certainly didn’t waste her chance.
The fourth was much closer and Bailey was certainly looking very tired, especially towards the end. She was in a 5-3 lead and a shot into the tin allowed David to come within a point. But she then killed off David’s serve with a slam into the nick. Bailey began to play more aggressively and attacked a lot more, even though she looked tired. She hung on and finished the game with a forehand volley into the nick.
The fifth was all David and a visibly tired Bailey could only offer minimal resistance.
The win caps off a great start to the season for Nicol David, who will also start next month as the world number one.
Tania came back strong and didn't let me get on the T. She started to play her fast game very well and I found it difficult to get refocused but in the last game I knew I had to make her work hard and take some pressure."I used the positive energy of the crowd to pull me through and I am delighted to have won in front of all my family, friends and supporters."
Nicol David
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