Home’s where the heart is as yiwen feels good about chances of earning World C’ships spot
Chan Yiwen, after narrowly missing a spot in the World Championships last year, believes the home ground advantage and her recent encouraging performance will give her a better chance of making her debut in the major tournament next month.
Yiwen, the world No. 79, was unlucky to be upstaged by her junior compatriot J. Yasshmita in the World qualifiers in Birmingham and missed the ticket to the main event in Chicago where eight Malaysians saw action.
The Asian Qualifiers taking place at the Jalan Duta courts from tomorrow until Sunday will present Yiwen with a very good chance to finally join her teammates at the world meet to be held in Cairo from May 9-18.
Yiwen’s fine run in the Australian Open, a bronze level Professional Squash Association (PSA) tour event, where she reached the quarter-finals in Sydney last month and her runners-up finish in the Challenger tournament – PSA Challenge Cup in Hong Kong – in February have boosted her confidence.
“I’m optimistic about getting a spot (in the World Championships) this time after having a good run in Hong Kong and Australia,” said the Alor Star-born Yiwen.
“I definitely feel different this time as I have the support from the team and home ground advantage.”
In order to win the Asian qualifiers and clinch a spot in the world meet, fourth-seeded Yiwen needs to overcome top two seeds Cheng Nga Ching of Hong Kong and Akanksha Salunkhe of India.
Yiwen, 24, is expected to meet Nga Ching in a semi-final clash and could play Salunkhe in the final.
She begins her campaign against Akari Midorikawa of Japan in the first round tomorrow.
“The previous records with Nga Ching were all 3-0 (straight sets) but it was a long time ago, back in my junior days,” added Yiwen.
“I never played with Akanksha before but I have watched her matches a few times.
‘‘Not taking anyone for granted, I’m just going to focus on one match at a time.”
Several Malaysians are assured of their places for the world meet with world No. 16 Ng Eain Yow and women’s world No. 13 S. Sivasangari leading the fray.
With the top 57 men and women based on the world ranking confirmed of their spots for the major event, world No. 28 Rachel Arnold, world No. 34 Aifa Azman and her sister Aira (No. 41) look certain to play in Cairo.
World No. 58 Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi is also set to join them as there are a few higher ranked players likely to miss the world meet due to injuries.