Women’s Worlds: King Moves By Mickawy

New Zealand’s Joelle King overcame a dogged Zeina Mickawy to secure her last 16 berth, winning 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9 in 41 minutes.

Mickawy sported heavy strapping on her right leg and tried to hit the ball to the front of court rather than get caught up in length rallies.

King started promisingly to take the opener and went 7-2 up in the second, but she lost control as Mickawy came back at her well, taking nine of the next 11 points to draw level.

Some fine winners from Mickawy saw her trouble King in the third, and, while she ultimately dropped the game, she cruised into an 8-3 lead in the fourth as the match looked destined to go to five games.

But some inch-perfect length and crisp volleying from the Kiwi saw her end her opponent’s resistance as she fought back to seal an 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9 victory.

She will play Hong Kong’s Annie Au for a place in the quarter-finals.

Results
[6] Joelle King (NZL) bt [19] Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9 (41m)