Fitness blues: Rachel slogging to break into world’s top 40

KUALA LUMPUR: National No. 2 squash player Rachel Arnold (pic) is hitting the gym more frequently in a bid to improve her world ranking.

Her goal this year is to break into top 40 but she has failed to meet her target so far.

The world No. 46 is not satisfied with her fitness level in the last few tournaments and is working hard to get into shape.

“I’ve been focusing more on my fitness level in the last few months and I’m getting better,” said Rachel, who turned professional in 2011.

“I reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in July and Hong Kong International Open last week but I need to do well in bigger meets to break into the top 40.”

Her best world ranking was 45, which she achieved in December 2017.

Rachel hopes to get closer to her top 40 target by doing well in the Malaysian Open starting on Sept 25 at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

The third seed is bracing for a tough draw.

“It’s a tricky draw but I’m still looking for a semi-final finish,” said Rachel, who lost in the first round of the Malaysian Open to Alexandra Fuller of South Africa last year.

Rachel received a first-round bye and faces either Sabrina Sobhy of the United States or Thanvi Khanna of India in the second round.

Her quarter-final opponent should be seventh seed Anne Serme of the Czech Republic but if all falls into place, she is expected to face top seed Rowan Elaraby of Egypt in the semi-finals.

National No. 1 Wee Wern, who won the Malaysian Open title last year, is the second seed.