Darren hoping for first PSA Tour title to boost confidence

PETALING JAYA: Top junior squash player Darren Rahul Pragasam (pic) has his sights set on the World Junior Championships in July.

But first, the 18-year-old is hoping to earn a breakthrough by winning a maiden Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour title to give himself a confidence boost.

The Seremban boy came close in the recent NT Open in Darwin, Australia, where he made a fine run to the semi-finals.

Seeded fourth, Darren downed South Korea’s Woo Chang-wook in the first round before beating homester Thomas Calvert in the last eight.

Unfortunately, the world No. 148 fell short in the last four as he lost 8-11, 8-11, 3-11 to second seed Rhys Dowling of Australia on Friday.

The Aussie was, however, beaten 8-11, 7-11, 13-11, 15-17 by Hong Kong’s Lau Tsz Kwan in yesterday’s final.

Despite the semi-final loss, Darren remains upbeat as he feels he is inching closer towards his goal.

“I played well for most of the tournament but I got a little too excited in the semi-finals and lost my game plan. That’s something I have to learn,” admitted Darren.

“I felt that I’ve improved technically and physically, and I just need to be a bit more mature in order to stand a chance at the world juniors.

“I need to handle pressure better and hopefully I’ll get that on track by July.

“It’ll be ideal if I could win a PSA title before the world juniors.

“It would show that I’m ready to cope with the pressure and expectations to play at a high level, so I’m definitely working towards that.”

Darren will have another chance to get it right at the Golden Open in Kalgoorlie, Australia, from May 30-June 3.

He’s the second seed behind compatriot Mohd Addeen Idrakie and has a fair chance of breaking his title duck.

Meanwhile, the women’s challenge at the NT meet ended in the last eight after both Aifa Azman and Lai Wen Li lost to higher-ranked opponents.