Malaysia Cup RD1: Home Trio Book RD2 Spots in Afternoon Session

The Ace Malaysia Squash Cup, PSA World Tour Bronze event got under way today at the S2 Sports Complex in Seremban, with home favourites Low Wee Wern, Aira Azman and Addeen Idrakie all winning in the afternoon session.

Low, a former World No.5, took part in the opening match of the day as she overcame Egypt’s Menna Hamed by an 11-9, 11-2, 7-11, 13-11 scoreline.

The 33-year-old from Penang reached the final of the Malaysia Open in 2019 and got the better of Hamed en route to the title decider. She was more accurate in the opening stages to take a 2-0 lead, however Hamed came out more aggressively in the third to cut Low’s advantage in half.

Hamed initially held a lead in the fourth but the experienced Low kept chipping away at the cushion as she closed out the win on the tie-break.

“I’m pretty happy with the way I played and the way I managed to win it in four because it was getting a bit touch and go at the end,” said Low afterwards.

“I’ve been through matches like that and ended up on the losing side, so it’s great to get through with a win, particularly playing at home here in Malaysia.

“I threw everything I had at her, all of the experience and the years I’ve had playing on the tour. Sometimes when you want that one point you get so desperate and run out of ideas, so I’m glad I stuck with it and didn’t let it go at the end.

“I would say it will be a tough battle against Farida, I haven’t played her before. I’ve played her older sister, which shows how old I am! I think she’s a great player and I look forward to coming back and playing in front of my home crowd again tomorrow.”

World Junior Championship runner-up Azman also booked her spot in the second round of this tournament for the first time since 2019 courtesy of an 11-9, 14-12, 12-10 win over compatriot and wildcard Yasshmita Jadishkumar.

Despite the 3-0 scoreline – and short duration of the match at 25 minutes – it was a closely-contested encounter, with both players trying to attack as often as possible. Azman was able to win the crucial points in each game to complete the win and she will take on 2019 victor Rachel Arnold in the next round.

“I think she played really well today, and I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent, but I’m glad I managed to win in three games, it wasn’t easy,” Azman said.

“I hope to play a good match against her [Rachel Arnold]. I saw that she was watching my match today, so she will be prepared.

“It’s been a while since I’ve played the Malaysian Cup. I couldn’t play last year because there was a clash in the tournaments. But I’m glad to play this year with a great venue and a lot of home supporters as well.”

Over on court one, Egyptian duo Kenzy Ayman and Malak Khafagy scored respective wins over Jessica Turnbull and Nardine Garas. Ayman will take on No.8 seed Sana Ibrahim next, while Khafagy will go up against No.4 seed Nadine Shahin for a place in the quarter-finals.

In the men’s event, Addeen Idrakie earned his second round berth after he took out Yannik Omlor of Germany 16-14, 11-3, 11-13, 14-12 less than a week after becoming a father.

He was put through his paces in a 25-minute first game, eventually prevailing on the tie-break, however the pressure told in a quick-fire second game as he stormed into a 2-0 lead. 

Idrakie looked set to seal the win in straight games but squandered an 8-4 lead in the third as Omlor put more life into the match and sent the match to a fourth. The German was tenacious and difficult to put away, overturning four match balls until he finally faltered, tinning off Idrakie’s serve to bring the match to a close.

“What made me win today was my coach [Shahril Shahidan] and the crowd,” Idrakie said.

“I’m quite tired this week, but this is my hometown and I wanted to play my best squash and win.

“My son just arrived last week on Friday and it’s not been easy, I haven’t slept or trained much. I was just thinking about my son today, I have to win every match to support my family and it gives me more motivation to push on court during every point.”

Idrakie’s next opponent will be Indian veteran Saurav Ghosal, and they will be joined in the last 16 by Hong Kong’s Henry Leung, who came back from a game down to dispatch wildcard Mohammad Syafiq Kamal.

French No.3 seed Victor Crouin awaits Leung in the next round.

“I was a little bit nervous in the first game and a bit slow, but I managed to come back in the next three games,” Leung said.

“I lost to Victor last year 3-0 in New Zealand. This time I hope I can have a good battle with him and get more points and more experience against him.

“Usually I watch back the video the night before and I will study my opponent.”

There were also wins for Spain’s Bernat Jaume and Japan’s Ryunosuke Tsukue in the afternoon session with wins over Seif Shenawy and Christopher Gordon, respectively. Jaume will play No.8 seed Ramit Tandon for a place in the quarters, with Tsukue facing top seed Mostafa Asal.

The evening session of the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup begins at 16:00 (GMT+8). All of the action will be shown live on SQUASHTV.

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Results – Men’s First Round: Afternoon Session

Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-4 (27m)

Addeen Idrakie (MAS) bt Yannik Omlor (GER) 3-1: 16-14, 11-3, 11-13, 14-12 (80m)

Bernat Jaume (ESP) bt Seif Shenawy (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 11-6 (35m)

Henry Leung (HKG) bt [WC] Mohammad Syafiq Kamal (MAS) 3-1: 6-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7 (46m)

Results – Women’s First Round: Afternoon Session

Malak Khafagy (EGY) bt Nardine Garas (EGY) 3-1: 11-5, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9 (33m)

Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt Jessica Turnbull (AUS) 3-1: 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8 (31m)

Aira Azman (MAS) bt [WC] Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) 3-0: 11-9, 14-12, 12-10 (25m)

Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt Menna Hamed (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 11-2, 7-11, 13-11 (46m)