Sivasangari, Wee Wern Eye Asian Games Slot

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 (Bernama) – The current national number two, S. Sivasangari and former national number two, Low Wee Wern started off their 2018 National Squash Championship campaign at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil with an eye on the 2018 Indonesian Asian Games slot. With Nicol David having secured her place for the Jakarta-Palembang Games, Sivasangari and Wee Wern were top contenders for a remaining slot in the women's singles event and three more in the team event, while Rachel Arnold and Aifa Azman were also in the contention in the selection tournament. The world number 40, Sivasangari, who was vying for her maiden title, progressed to the quarterfinals after defeating junior Noor Aina Amani Ampandi 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 in the women's premier opening match, to set up a clash with another junior, Chan Yiwen in the quarter-finals, Friday. Fresh after winning the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Young Player of the Year award in June, the 19-year-old Kedahan was determined to wrest the title in the absence of defending champion Nicol, to secure her Asian Games debut in August. “It is very important to win this tournament because I will get to play the Asian Games individual event alongside Nicol, so I need show my best. I missed last year’s edition due to my exams (Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar in Mantin),” she told reporters after the match. However, her route to Indonesia won’t be stroll in the park, as former world number five and 2014 Asian Games silver medallist, Wee Wern made her comeback to the glass court after 20 months due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The 27-year-old Penangite, who last played a competitive match during the National Championship in November 2016, progressed to the last eight after thrashing Zoe Foo Yuk Han 11-7, 11-4, 11-3 to face Ooi Kah Yan Friday. “It was a mixed feelings when I get in there…Starting was a bit tough for me, mentally and physically, but the second game was better. Really felt satisfied to play again after so long. “My goal is to build momentum for the Malaysia Open (July 19-22) and Asian Games from there on,” she said. The joint third-fourth seed Rachel ousted Wong Heng Wai 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 to set up a clash with Lai Wen Li, while Aifa defeated Angie Ooi Zhi Ling 11-1, 11-6, 11-3 to face Nazihah Hanis Bt Abd Razak. Meanwhile, in the men’s premier division, national number one Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan continued his dominance by beating Ooi Jian Qi 11-4, 11-7, 11-6 in the second round, to face Muhammad Asyraf Azan in the quarter-finals. Defending champion Ivan Yuen Chee Wern also advanced after defeating Ng Jo Wern 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 to challenge Sanjay Singh, while second seeded Ng Eain Yow ousted Muhd Hafiz Zhafri 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 to face Darren Rahul. -- BERNAMA