Malaysia Cup QFs: Arnold Halts Mohamed

World No.39 Rachel Arnold has reached the semi-finals of the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup for a second year running after she upset No.2 seed Farida Mohamed in front of her home fans in Seremban.

Despite being the lower-ranked player, Arnold had won both of her previous matches against Mohamed and made it a hat-trick of victories with an 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5 victory after 46 minutes of action.

The first three games were closely-contested with neither player able to establish a big lead. Arnold was able to take the advantage though, making few errors and maintaining a consistent line and length throughout.

Mohamed was able to cause issues for her opponent in the second as she came out firing to draw level, but her game deteriorated as she grew more and more frustrated with what she perceived to be referee calls in her opponent’s favour.

For her part, Arnold remained composed and kept a cool head to take the third game. The fourth soon followed to send the crowd wild, and their home hero will be the favourite to reach the final when she takes on Egypt’s Malak Khafagy – making her Bronze semi-final debut – in the next round.

“I’m pleased with how I played,” said Arnold.

“I was pretty patient with my length and I think that was a good thing. If I keep up my performance to the level I played in the last few days then I should be good [against Khafagy].”

Result

[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt [2] Farida Mohamed (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5 (46m)