HONG KONG—The first final of The Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial HK Open 2015 event saw reigning champion, Nicol David (seeded 2) from Malaysia beat Laura Massaro (3) from England in 3 straight games in 39 mins at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre on Sunday Dec 6, 2015.
David looked mostly untroubled and unbeatable for the entire tournament, proving she’s still queen of the Hong Kong Open. The Malaysian former world number one raised her game in her favourite event as she cut Massaro down to size in the women’s final to win for an unprecedented 10th straight year.
David, lost her number world one spot after 109 months at the summit to Raneem El Welily of Egypt in September, proved she’s still very much a major force with this straight game victory over Massaro, the world number two.
Massaro started nervously, stroke against to go 2-0 down and another stroke against to go 4-2 down, before settling to draw level at 6-6. They were matching punch for punch to 9-9, before Massaro had a first game points at 10-9, 11-10 and 12-11. A few more lets and VDO reviews saw the match turn in the favour of Nicol for her first game ball at 13-12, but Laura again drew level 13-13. David edged ahead again 14-13 and with her second game point accidently caught Massaro on the lip with her back swing and a let was called. David then served to take the game 15-13.
