New Delhi: Top seed Malaysian Nicol David added the only major title missing from her kitty as she defeated England's Jenny Duncalf in the women's final of the Squash singles event in the Commonwealth Games here on Friday.
World number one David's feat was all the more significant as she triumphed without dropping a game, just as she did in last month's World Open in Egypt.
The Malaysian beat Duncalf 11-3 11-5 11-7 in 40 minutes on an all-glass court at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.
In her fourth attempt, after competing in squash's maiden appearance in the Games in her home country in 1998 when just 15, David finally managed to claim the gold.
The Englishwoman made a sound start, going 3-2 up in the first game, but the Malaysian's footwork and retrieving skills made the task a lot more difficult for Duncalf as David reeled off eigth points in a row with Duncalf committing a slew of unforced errors towards the end of the game.
The second was a similar story with David pulling clear after a competitive opening to take a commanding two-game lead.
A quick 3-0 start to the third for David looked ominous, but Duncalf dug in well and played her best squash, pulling it back to 3 all. But the Malaysian pulled away again, taking leads of 6-3 8-4 and reaching match ball at 10-7. That was converted first time on a stroke, and David had his gold.
"I'm so excited right now - it's just so wonderful. Jenny didn't play her best today - but I had to take my opportunities. A Commonwealth Games gold medal is one of my highest achievements so far. The fact that it's in a multi-sport event, which means so much for Malaysia, makes it even more important for me," said the 27-year-old from Penang.
David had won a record-equalling fifth world title only two weeks ago and recently celebrated her 54th month as world number one.
In the women's singles third place play-off, Australia's sixth seed Kasey Brown won the bronze medal without even hitting the center court.
Her opponent, world number three Alison Waters of England, withdrew with an achilles tendon injury before their scheduled clash.
It is the first Games medal for Brown, the world number 8th, who made her debut in Melbourne four years ago.
In the men's bronze-medal clash, third seed Englishman Peter Barker got the better of Malaysia's Mohammed Azlan Iskandar 11-5 11-4 11-2 in 45 minutes.
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