The 2011 World Squash Open ended at the Luxor Theatre in Rotterdam, the Netherland’s City of Sports yesterday with Malaysia’s Nicol David and England’s Nick Matthew taking top honors on the awards podium—but before they got there, they had to put up quite a fight against a few of Harrow’s own.

It all began during round one where Raneem El Weleily (EGY) and Kasey Brown (AUS) both swiftly won their respective matches to meet each other in round two. But despite El Weleily’s well-known ability to play the angles of the court to her advantage, it was Brown who remained victorious 4/11, 11/7, 11/3, 6/11, 11/8.

But, unfortunately for Brown, the quarter-finals was where her journey ended, which was a few steps further than that of Omneya Abdel Kawyu (EGY) who fell in round one to Egypt’s Kanzy El Dafrawy. But David admits going against Brown was not easy.

“The score doesn’t reflect how hard it was out there,” said David on the World Open Squash official website. “It was maybe 3-0, but it felt more like 5 or 6 games actually. Kasey had a very hard game yesterday, but still, she is such a strong player. She has stepped up her game so much, if you lower your guard ever so slightly, she gets on it.”

Teran and Grinham, Round 2

Meanwhile, Samantha Terán (MEX) was busy moving through the ranks past Tesni Evans (WAL)—11/5, 11/3, 11/7; Rachael Grinham (AUS) –4/11, 11/2, 11/3, 12/10; and Dipika Pallikal (IND)—11/6, 11/8/ 11/9 to meet Jenny Duncalf (ENG) in the semi-finals. Duncalf managed to score 11/9, 11/4, 11/7, which put her in front of David who ended up taking home her sixth World Open Squash Title.

As for the men, Chris Ryder (ENG) might have lost to Olli Touminen (FIN) in round one—8/11, 11/4, 11/4, 11/4—but he didn’t lose his sense of humor.

“Off for my ‘loser burger’. Maybe a shandy too. Every cloud [has a silver lining]…” he posted on his Twitter page shortly after the match.

Overall, Harrow’s-sponsored players put on a good show and will continue to do so as both the WISPA and PSA world tours move forward