YOUNG AIFA LEADS WAY TO FINAL
Malaysia set up showdown with defending champs Egypt
AIFA Azman belied her tender age to steer Malaysia into the final of the Women’s World Junior Team Squash Championship for the first time in 10 years in Tauranga, New Zealand yesterday.
The 15-year-old Aifa clinched the opening point before S. Sivasangari did the rest as Malaysia defeated England 2-0 in the semi-final to set up a showdown with defending champions Egypt today.
Already a two-time British Junior Open champion, Aifa handled the pressure of going first up like a seasoned professional as she rallied from a game down to defeat Jasmine Hutton, a player three years older than Aifa, 611, 12-10, 12-10, 11-6 in 43 minutes.
Sivasangari then came through with an 11-8, 11-8, 11-4 win over Lucy Turmel to seal the tie with Andrea Lee not needed to play Elise Lazarus.
National junior coach Andrew Cross was effusive in his praise of Aifa ahead of a crunch tie against Egypt in the final.
“The girls I thought did well today, especially Aifa who had to go on first and had a lot of pressure,” said Cross.
“She did well to handle it and deliver the first point for us.
“Sangari played the next match really well and I’m happy for the girls to be in the final.”
This is the third time Malaysia have made the final after 2001, when a side led by Nicol David lost to England 2-1 in the final, and in 2007 when the Low Wee Wern-led team were beaten 2-0 by Egypt in Hong Kong.
The 2007 title was the first in five-in-row for Egypt, and sixth in total, as they easily defeated Hong Kong 2-0 in the semi-finals yesterday.
Amina Yousry opened with an 11-4, 11-3, 11-7 win over Chan Sin Yuk before Hania El Hammamy secured victory by beating Lui Hiu Lam 11-4, 11-6, 11-1 with individual champion Rowan Reda Araby not needed on court.
In the final, Sivasangari will renew acquaintance with Hania, who won their individual quarterfinal clash in five games last week while Andrea also gets a chance to avenge her last-eight defeat to Rowan.
“Tough matches tomorrow but we were close in the individual (event) and there is no pressure on us so we will try and turn the results around,” said Cross.