RESULTS: Torneo International Bicentenario Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
1st round (top half of draw):
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Ivonne Diaz (MEX) 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 (22m)
[8] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) bt [Q] Karina Heredia Gonzalez (MEX) 11-2, 11-2, 11-0 (15m)
[4] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt Annie Au (HKG) 11-9, 11-6, 13-11 (25m)
[6] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Latasha Khan (USA) 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 (22m)
Malaysian favourite Nicol David eased into the quarter-finals of the inaugural Women's Torneo International Bicentenario Mexico after beating local qualifier star Ivonne Diaz in straight games in the $67,500 WISPA World Tour squash event at the Plaza Civica de Toluca in Toluca.
Appearing in her first Tour event since winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, world number one David despatched Diaz 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 in her opening match in the first WISPA Gold event ever to be staged in Mexico.
At the post-match press conference, David explained how all of the players have arrived early to get used to the altitude. "Although you notice it a little in the first couple of days you start to get used to it," explained the 27-year-old from Penang. "It's great to play in such a public and stunning setting, and I am sure that this event will motivate Mexicans to play squash.
"Sam (Teran) has already shown it is possible to be very successful and she is one of the main reasons this event is on. Thanks Sam!"
David will next face eighth seed Jaclyn Hawkes. The New Zealander showed no mercy in progressing to the last eight at the expense of another Mexican, qualifier Karina Heredia Gonzalez, winning 11-2, 11-2, 11-0 in just 15 minutes.
Earlier, Raneem El Weleily started off the second day of first round action in fine form by knocking out USA's Latasha Khan. The skilful Egyptian seemed unperturbed by the altitude causing the ball to speed off the front wall and cruised to an 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 victory.
The sixth seed will now line up against Ireland's Madeline Perry. The No4 seed took the first two games against Annie Au, but had to save three game balls against the rising star from Hong Kong before winning 11-9, 11-6, 13-11.
Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [8] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL)
[4] Madeline Perry (IRL) v [6] Raneem El Weleily (EGY)
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [7] Samantha Teran (MEX)
[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v [5] Kasey Brown (AUS)