Squash: No time to waste for Ng

PETALING JAYA: Ng Eain Yow recovered well from a frustrating final defeat over the weekend to advance to the second round of the Hong Kong Open yesterday.

Eain Yow had missed an opportunity to add his second Professional Squash Association (PSA) title at the Hong Kong Squash Club Open, a bronze level tournament, on Saturday after losing to an in-form Egyptian Aly Abou Eleinen in a four-set final thriller.

However, it was business as usual for world No. 21 Eain Yow yesterday when he pulled off a fine a 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 win against Todd Harrity of the United Stated in a first round match that lasted 35 minutes.

All systems go: Ng Eain Yow (left) returning a shot against Todd Harrity of the US in the first round of the Hong Kong Open. — Hong Kong Squash

“Definitely more to give this week at the HK Open. I’m just focused on continuing my good form and keep pushing myself day by day,” said Eain Yow.

“As for the match against Eleinen (on Saturday), he played better than me in the crucial moments, so all credit to him and it’s time to move on.”

The Asian Games champion will face a difficult task next against world No. 7 Mazen Hesham of Egypt but if Eain Yow’s current consistency is anything to go by, he can fancy something special today.

Meanwhile, last week’s Hong Kong Squash Club Open champion S. Sivasangari also did not face any trouble in her first round against Millie Tomlinson of England.

Sivasangari, ranked world No. 22, made quick work of Tomlinson by notching a 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 win in just 17 minutes to book her second round berth.

However, Rachel Arnold survived a scare against Marta Dominguez Fernandez of Spain to check into the second round after she was forced to go the distance before winning a five-set clash 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8 in 51 minutes.

Rachel faces a tough hurdle against world No. 4 Amanda Sobhy of the United States today.

Youngster Aira Azman also cleared her opening hurdle after beating her former junior rival Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt 5-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 to set up a meeting against world No. 1 and six-time world champion Nour El Sherbini of Egypt today.

Her sister Aifa received a bye in the first round and will face another Egyptian Nadine Shahin in the second round.

First round

Men: Ng Eain Yow (Mas) bt Todd Harrity (US) 11-9, 11-7, 11-8.

Women: S. Sivasangari (Mas) bt. Millie Tomlinson (Eng) bt 11-5, 11-3, 11-3; Aira Azman (Mas) bt Fayrouz Aboelkheir (Egy) 5-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8; Rachel Arnold bt Marta Dominguez Fernandez (Spa) 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8.