Eain Yow out to record first victory over Welshman Makin

PETALING JAYA: Top Malaysian professional Ng Eain Yow (pic) will be hoping to continue his giant-killing run in the Singapore Open when he plays world No. 11 Joel Makin of Wales in the quarter-finals today.

Eain Yow, the world No. 24, secured two of his biggest wins in his career when he upstaged world No. 16 Saurav Ghosal in the opening round and followed it up with a brilliant 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 victory over world No. 2 Paul Coll in the second round on Wednesday.

It was Eain Yow’s first victory over Coll in two meetings but the most satisfying and a significant breakthrough he needed to launch his professional career to another level.

Against Makin, whom the Malaysian had not beaten in five meetings, it could be different this time.

Makin was ranked No 7 when he secured the last two wins at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in August and the Grasshopper Cup in Zurich last month.

National coach Andrew Cross, who was in Singapore to guide the Bristolbased Eain Yow, is looking forward to another splendid performance from the Malaysian.

“I thought Yow played really well against Coll, he was aggressive in taking the ball to the front of the court. Two big wins for Yow this week,” said Cross.

“He was also playing well in South Korea (at the Asian Team Championships) as well and was close to beating Saurav there and just losing out by a couple of points.

“Yow and Makin have met a couple of times recently, so he will be ready for tomorrow’s (today’s) match.”

Eain Yow had also complimented on Cross’s guidance during the last two matches and the latter will stay on to help the player in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Rachel Arnold and Aifa Azman will focus on the Malaysian Open, which begins in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday, after falling in the second round of the Singapore Open.

Rachel will play Grace Gear of England in the first round while Aifa has received a bye in her opening match.

Low Wee Wern, who made a comeback 13 months after undergoing a fourth knee surgery, showed glimpses of the brilliance that made her the world No. 5 in 2015, and will continue her comeback trail in Kuala Lumpur.

She will play compatriot Chan Yiwen in the first round of the home tournament.