Malaysia’s Wee Wern goes to New York with one aim – end first-round exits
PETALING JAYA: National squash player Low Wee Wern wants to end her first-round jinx at the prestigious Tournament of Champions at the iconic Grand Central Terminal in New York City on Friday.
In 2016, the 28-year-old was leading 2-1 but could not finish off the game and lost 9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 6-11 to Egyptian Omneya Abdel Kawy.
The former world No. 5 suffered a very similar fate in 2015 when she went down at 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11 to another Egyptian Amanda Sobhy.
Returning from 20 months on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury, the Malaysian will be playing in the tournament ranked a lowly 45th in the world but she’s thinking of pulling off an upset or two.
“I’m definitely the underdog here as I barely made it based on my rankings. There may be those who underestimate me, so I am looking to capitalise on that,” said Wee Wern.
Competing in a platinum level event, the road ahead for her in New York will not be easy and it begins with a first round battle against Egyptian Mayar Hany.
And if she beats Mayar, it only gets tougher as she will be up against another world No. 8 Egyptian Nouran Gohar.
“I need to feel better on court, the hitting and movement wise before I can match these girls and that is my main focus at the moment.”
Given her perseverance Wee Wern can certainly produce some stunning results.
She showed remarkable determination to make a return to the sport and has clawed up from No. 254 ranking in July last year to reach her rank.
She did it by winning five Professional Squash Association titles – the Malaysia, Tasmania, Australia, Queensland and Singapore Opens – in the space of six months.
Since her last title in Singapore in early December, she has been working hard to make an impression new week in New York.
“Training has been good as I had about five weeks since Singapore to prepare for the new year. It’s good to have that time to work on my strength and fitness again.”
“I’m on the right track to getting better. I’m still not where I was previously but that will take time and a lot more tournaments before I can get back to that level again.”
Besides Wee Wern, the other Malaysians in down for the tournament are Nicol David and Sivasangari. Nicol received a bye in the opening round while Sivasangari plays English lass Fiona Moverley in the first round.
In the men’s draw, Ng Eain Yow will get his campaign underway against Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi of Qatar on Wednesday.