It’s the end for Malaysia as Delia and Arnold come a cropper

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s challenge in two squash tournaments – the Santiago Open in Spain and Macau Open – has come to an abrupt end.

Sixth seed Delia Arnold, who is recovering from fever, lost 5-11, 311, 5-11 in just 30 minutes to top seed Joelle King of New Zealand in the Macau Open quarter-finals yesterday.

Delia said in a text message that she could not move well on court because of the fever.

“Joelle was too fast and I made some silly errors as I am tired because of the fever,” said Delia.

World No. 12 King faces qualifier Joshna Chinappa of India in the last four.

World No. 51 Joshna stunned world No. 16 Samantha Teran of Mexico 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8 in the first round before stunning world No. 35 Misaki Kobayashi of Japan 119, 9-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6 in the last eight.

The other semi-final pits eighth seed Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt against seventh seed Aisling Blake of Ireland.

Omneya created the biggest upset of the day when she came back from a set down to beat world No. 14 and second seed Dipika Pallikal of India 9-11, 11-5, 6- 11, 14- 12, 11- 7 while Blake advanced after disposing of Siyoli Waters of South Africa 11-3, 1210, 11-6.

In Spain, top seed Adrain Grant of England snuffed out Malaysian youngster Ivan Yuen’s in just 32 minutes, winning 11-8, 11-5, 11-5 in the Santiago Open quarter-finals on Thursday.

Grant faces fourth seed Cameron Pilley of Australia in the semi-finals. Pilley came back from a set down to beat Omar Abdel Aziz of Egypt 9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-1.

Local ace and second seed Borja Golan and third seed Simon Rosner of Germany will face off in the other semi-final.

Golan, however, had to slog for 62 minutes to subdue Adrian Waller of England 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 while Rosner dumped Shaun Le Roux of South Africa 11-9, 11-6, 11-9.