Aika’s comeback gathers steam
Azman's comeback from injury is well on track as she earned her slot in the main draw of the Malaysian Open with a commanding performance at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Aika suffered an ankle injury in January which has hampered her season but proved she is back to full fitness with a comprehensive 11-2,
11-8, 11-6 win over Singaporean Au Yeong Wai Yhann in the final round of qualifying.
She will play top seed Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt in the first round today. Omneya is also on the comeback trail, having been sidelined by injury since January last year.
Aika, 21, said: “I was out injured for more than two months and am playing here for the first time without an ankle brace. I am really happy that I could play and move well.”
"The last time I played her (Wai Yhann) was in a tournament in Singapore (SG Squash Circuit) and she beat me 11-9 in the fifth. It feels great to get my revenge today.
"I am really happy to make it into the main draw for a US$15,000 (RM60,816) event.”
Low Wee Wern is the only other Malaysian qualifier to make it through to the women's main draw. Wee Wern defeated Iranian Sarvenaz Komasi 11-4, 11-4, 11-0 to setup a first round match with Hong Kong's Tong Tsz-Wing today.
Youngster M. Kiroshanna, who stunned seventh seed Taba Taghavi Rafsanjani yesterday, lost to India's Sunayna Kuruvilla 6-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 while Ainaa Ampandi went down 7-11, 11-9, 117, 9-11, 11-2 to Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines.
Mohd Syafiq Kamal was the only Malaysian to make it through on the men's side. Syafiq downed Pakistan's Asim Khan 8-11, 11-7, 117, 11-6 and will face Qatari Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi next.
Ryan Pasqual's hopes of going through were dashed when he lost 11-4, 12-10, 11-7 to England's Angus Gilams.