David Seals SRAM Invitational Semis Spot

The 32-year-old quickly struck up a 10-6 lead and, despite squandering four match balls, fended off a late comeback from Chinappa to secure an 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 victory in 37 minutes, leaving Chinappa needing a win against Duncalf in her final Pool A fixture to qualify.

“I’m looking forward to the semi-finals on Saturday and it’s great to get through and to be top of the pool,” said David to News 365.

“I got better with each game and in the last game, even though I was up and she was fighting back, you can’t let it go no matter what and I’m happy to get through.”

Pool B’s fixture saw World No.9 Joelle King take on Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy, with Kawy looking to follow up her dramatic 3-2 victory over Malaysian National Champion Delia Arnold the day before.

But King played with poise and composure to close out an 11-5, 14-12, 11-4 triumph and she will take on Arnold in her next fixture as she aims to top Pool B.

“I thought I contained her pretty well today,” King said.

“I thought I kind of lost focus a little bit [in the second game] and she’s a dangerous player, if you give her an inch she takes a mile. She relaxed a bit and, previously, when her shots went into the tin, all of sudden they were winners. You’ve got to expect that against the Egyptians, they can hit a lot winners so I’m chuffed to get through in three.”

Results: SRAM Invitational 2016 Day Two

Pool A
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [4] Joshna Chinappa (IND) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 12-10

Pool B
[3] Joelle King (NZL) bt [2] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 3-0: 11-5, 14-12, 11-4

Draw: SRAM Invitational 2016 Day Two

Pool A
[4] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v [5] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)

Pool B
[3] Joelle King (NZL) v [6] Delia Arnold (MAS)