Ayaz and Subramaniam Triumph on Malaysian Tour

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Pakistani qualifier Ahsan Ayaz and home hope Sivasangari Subramaniam prevailed in the finals of the fourth stage on the 2016 Malaysian Tour, beating Mohd Syafiq Kamal and Rachel Arnold, respectively, in Penang.

Ayaz, the World No.252 from Peshawar, battled through qualification to reach the main draw, before a sensational first round victory over second seed and compatriot Asim Khan laid the foundations for an impressive surge to the final.

There, Ayaz was pitted against home player Kamal, who was hoping to win his first PSA World Tour crown in his fourth final.

It was 18-year-old Ayaz who started the better of the two and, a nervy second game tie-break victory aside, he powered through to a comfortable 11-6, 14-12, 11-4 triumph to break his title duck and become the first Pakistani to win an overseas tournament this year.

“I won my first PSA title today and I would just like to say thanks to my parents, who always supported me and prayed for me and also to the [Pakistan Squash] federation.

“The organisers held such a good tournament here in Penang and I hope to grab my second PSA title next week in Perlis [on the fifth stage of the Malaysian Tour].”

World No.62 Subramaniam ensured that her 100 per cent record on the 2016 Malaysian Tour continued as she breezed through to the final of the Women’s PSA W5 final to set up a meeting with compatriot Arnold.

Subramaniam had triumphed on the first three stages of the Malaysian Tour and the 17-year-old maintained her fine form to record a 3-1 victory, lifting the fourth PSA World Tour title of her burgeoning career in the process.

“I have had a good week here in Penang by winning my fourth PSA title,” Subramaniam said.

“I’m so happy, I hope I can win more PSA titles in the future.”

Result – Final: Men’s Malaysian Tour IV 2016
[Q] Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) bt [5] Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS) 3-0: 11-6, 14-12, 11-4 (47m)

Result – Final: Women’s Malaysian Tour IV 2016
[2] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [4] Rachel Arnold (MAS) 3-1 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 (35m)