SEHVEETRRAA SERVES A STUNNER IN DEBUT AT BRITISH JUNIORS

Sehveetrraa storms into Under-13 final

PETALING JAYA: What a debut it has been for K. Sehveetrraa at the British Junior Open squash championships.

The 12-year-old, who is only competing at the British Juniors for the first time, capped a memorable run by storming into the final of the girls’ Under-13 category in Birmingham.

Sehveetrraa, who is seeded joint thirdfourth, was in her element as she sent second seed Malak Taha of Egypt packing with an 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 win in the semi-finals yesterday.

The Kedahan, who found herself 1-5 and then 5-8 down in the opening set, turned on the heat to take six straight points before nicking the set.

After that it was plain sailing for Sehveetrraa as Malak simply coulnd’t find a way back into the game.

The win ensured that Malaysia, who had seven players in the semi-finals yesterday, kept up their tradition of performing well in the Under-13 event.

Sehveetrraa will meet another Egyptian Fayrouz Abouelkheir for the title.

Fayrouz, also a joint third-fourth seed, also delivered an upset by beating top seeded compatriot Lojayn Gohary 11-7, 11-3, 7-11, 7-11, 11-5.

“I’m really excited to get through the semi-finals in my first British Juniors,” said Sehveetrraa.

“The cross court lobs worked really well for me today and I managed to stick to my game plan.

“It would be a dream come true if I could go on to win. But I’m pretty nervous to be in the final.

“My opponent is younger and quicker than me and she’s got a strong swing. But I’m confident of beating her because I’m in good form,” added Sehveetrra.

There was no joy for pint-sized Whitney Wilson in the Under-11 category.

The joint third-fourth seed found top seed Amina Orfi of Egypt just too hot to handle and lost 3-11, 2-11, 1-11.

In the boys’ Under-15 semi-finals, second seed Mohd Amir Amirul also fell short after losing 9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 8-11 to India’s Neel Joshi.