Iskander hands Malaysia another gold

GUANGZHOU: Five-time World Open champion Nicol David clinched a third Asian Games title on Sunday with compatriot Mohamad Azlan Iskander completing a Malaysian double with the men's gold.

Top seed David carved out a 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 win over Hong Kong's Annie Au.

The victory follows the Malaysian star's Asiad gold triumphs in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and Doha four years ago.

David, who has been world number one for a record 56 consecutive months, arrived in Guangzhou having won the Commonwealth Games title in New Delhi in October.

"This gold medal means a lot to me," said David, who also won a silver at Busan in 2002.

"I am fighting for my country and I have the whole of Malaysia's support. I have to give it my best shot."

"My rhythm was upset by my opponent. She was slowing down the pace so I
realised that I had to adjust."

Men's top seed Iskander, the silver medallist in Doha four years ago, took just 39 minutes to see off promising Pakistan player Aamir Atlas Khan 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 in the final.

Asian champion Iskander made sure the Games title stayed in Malaysian hands for a third successive Asiad after compatriot Ong Beng Hee had won in 2002 and 2006.

"It was tough," said the champion. "He played every ball well and every single point took a long time. It cost me a lot of physical strength.

"But I had just one goal and that was to win gold."