Aifa on course for her fourth PSA Tour title

PETALING JAYA: There is no stopping Aifa Azman (pic) from winning a fourth Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour title.

The three- time British Junior Open winner showed no signs of slowing down after putting up a classy performance to beat compatriot Ooi Kah Yan 11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 11-2 in the semi-finals of the Malaysian Tour Squash Circuit (SSJM) No. 7 yesterday.

The 16-year-old, who has won three titles so far, started on the front foot by easily taking the first set 11-4 at the Sarawak Squash Centre in Kuching.

The 17-year-old Kah Yan, who downed top seed Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines in the quarter-finals, showed some resistance to take the second 11-9 before Aifa stepped on the gas to end the contest after 32 minutes.

The third seeded Kedahan meets second seed Ineta Mackevica of Latvia for the title today.

World No. 85 Mackevica denied an all-Malaysian final by beating world No. 103 Lai Wen Li 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5.

“I started well in the first but Kah Yan read my game and gave a much better fight in the second. Luckily, I adapted fast,” said the world No. 76 Aifa.

“I’m happy to be in the final again but it’s going to be tough. I’ve never played Ineta, who is a big and tall girl.

“I believe I’ve got a chance,” she added.

In the men’s event, former national player Mohd Asyraf Azan beat second seed Sanjay Singh Chal 6-11, 11-5, 11-8, 16-14 to set up a meeting against top seed Shehab Essam of Egypt in the final.