Nafiizwan outlasts Clyne to reach HK semis

PETALING JAYA: National No. 1 Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan passed the brutal test of mental toughness after battling back to oust second seed Alan Clyne of Scotland in the quarter-finals of the HKFC International squash championships.

World No. 32 Nafiizwan had to work his socks off to produce a sensational 6-11, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 win after 104 minutes.

It was the longest match in the Terengganuborn player’s career – eclipsing his 102-minute win over Egypt’s Omar Mosaad at the Men’s World Championship last year.

Nafiizwan, who is also the defending champion, will meet either Omar or New Zealand’s Campbell Grayson in the semi-finals.

“It was really a brutal match and I really had to be patient today. I’m pleased with the way I fought back after going two sets down. It was just me going back to basics and doing what I do best,” said Nafiizwan.

Egypt’s world No. 29 Omar Abdel Meguid also pulled off an upset – downing fourth seed and home favourite Yip Tsz Fung 11-8, 11-2, 6-11, 11-9.

In women’s event, top seed and home favourite Annie Au sailed into the semi-finals after beating compatriot Joey Chan 11-8, 11-4, 11-6.

The world No. 10 will meet India’s world No. 12 Joshna Chinappa, who downed Hong Kong’s Liu Tsz Ling 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-3, for a place in the final.

Second seed Nour El Tayeb of Egypt also breezed through after beating Ho Tze Lok of Hong Kong 11-4, 11-5, 11-6 in just 22 minutes.