Defending champion Ivan, Nafiizwan cruise into National Squash C’ship final

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champion, Ivan Yuen Chee Wern is on course to retain his title and likely to get the men’s singles slot for Indonesia Asian Games, after advancing into the finals of National Squash Championship today.

The 27-year-old put up a commendable performance to defeat the tournament’s second seed, Ng Eain Yow 11-5, 8-11, 11-4, 11-3 in the men’s premier division’s semifinals at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The national number three, who bagged the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour Player of The Month award in June, following the New Zealand International Classic and New Zealand Southern Open title wins, however had to face another challenge to retain the title.

The Penangite has to defeat national number one and top seed, Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan, whom he beat in last year’s edition for his maiden title.

“I played really well today, I am also surprised that my form is coming back, though he (Eain Yow) is quite a good player, next back up who is coming after his seniors.. Hopefully I will take it on tomorrow (today).

“For tomorrow (today), I want to enjoy my game and do not want to put pressure on retaining the title,” he told reporters after the match.

The two-time champion Mohd Nafiizwan (2015 & 2016), cruised into the finals after beating Muhammad Syafiq Kamal 11-7, 12-10, 10-12, 11-3 for another Asian Games individual slot.

Meanwhile, in the women’s premier division, the current national number two, S. Sivasangari and former national number two, Low Wee Wern are set to battle for the title and Asian Games women’s singles slot, after national squash queen, Datuk Nicol David secured the first singles slot.

A country can only send two representatives in the singles event and four players for team event of each men’s and women’s category.

The former world number five and 2014 Asian Games silver medallist, Wee Wern who made her comeback to the glass court after 20 months due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, defeated Aifa Azman 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 13-11 in the last four stage. - Bernama