Eain Yow aims to play his way and beat platinum level rivals

LUMPUR: Reigning German Open winner Ng Eain Yow has shrugged off the “nearly man” tag and is now looking forward to achieving bigger things on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tour.

The world No. 16 won his first PSA title in the German Open, the bronze level event, on April 7 and is optimistic of progressing beyond the quarter-finals of silver to platinum level tournaments.

Buoyed by the victory in Hamburg, Eain Yow believes the top 10 target is achievable by beating elite players in that bracket without having to change much on his playing style.

“I want to start doing this more and start playing my style of squash and beat these guys. I want to make the quarters and maybe even the semis, that’s the target,” said Eain Yow.

“I’m really motivated and excited to get some big wins.

“I haven’t changed much in my game to be honest. I know I’ve been doing the right things, so it’s just reaffirming my good attributes.

“Sometimes I overthink and then my game falls apart but I know what I’m good at and I know where my strengths lie.

“As long as I stay true to what I know, I’m on the right path.

“Over the past few years, I’ve tried to minimise the weaknesses in my game instead of focusing on my strengths.

“Just being able to play my style of squash is important if I want to break into the top 10.

“I think that is key and also just having that belief that I can beat players in the top 10.”

Eain Yow’s mission to break into the quarter-finals and beyond will begin with the platinum level event, the El Gouna International in Egypt, which begins today.

Played at the shores of El Gouna, Eain Yow will open his campaign against Cesar Salazar of Mexico before an expected clash against world No. 2 Paul Coll of New Zealand in the second round.

Having beaten Coll once during the 2022 Singapore Open tournament, the in-form Eain Yow could get the test he wants this weekend.

In the women’s event, London Classic winner S. Sivasangari has received a first-round bye while her compatriots have received a mixed draw in the first round today.

World No. 28 Rachel Arnold will play No. 49 Alicia Mead of England while world No. 44 Aira Azman will take on 30th-ranked Hana Ramadan of Egypt.

Aira’s sister Aifa will play 43rd-ranked Nour Aboulma– karim of Egypt in the first round.