Farez makes storming start at British Juniors

PETALING JAYA: Asian Junior Under-15 champion Mohd Farez Izwan is ready to steal the limelight from compatriot Ng Eain Yow at the British Junior Open squash championships in Sheffield.

The 15-year-old Farez, who is affectionately known as Bobo, is desperate to make an impression this year after missing last year’s tournament due to a wrist injury.

The Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) student, who is seeded joint third-fourth in the Under-17 category, has targeted a spot in the final and got off to a fantastic start on Thursday.

Farez needed just 17 minutes to dispose of Ireland’s Kelly Morgan 11-2, 11-3, 11-3 in the first round. He then beat local lad Harry Falconer 11-8, 9-11, 11-3, 11-4 in 35 minutes in the second round.

The Sabah-born boy will meet Egyptian Youssef Akram in the third round.

“It was an easy first round but I struggled a little in the second because it was a different court and I was trying to adapt to it,” said Farez.

“But I’m definitely playing better since the Pontefract Junior Open last week and I know the best is yet to come.

“Personally, I really want to do well in this year’s tournament, especially since I was forced to miss it last year due to injury.

“I’ve had good preparation before coming here. My target is to make the final and face Eain Yow in an all-Malaysian match.

“But first I have to focus on my third round opponent. I watched Youssef play and he is pretty good ... it will be a tough match,” added Farez.

Eain Yow, the second seed, also enjoyed a fine start. He beat Norway’s Sigurd Dahle 11-1, 11-4, 11-3 in the first round before thrashing Singapore’s Chua Man Chin 11-5, 11-3, 11-2 in next round. He won both matches under 20 minutes.

In the boys’ Under-19 category, Mohd Syafiq Kamal and Darren Chan made the second round in contrasting fashions. 

Syafiq dropped a set before beating Argentina’s Francisco Obregon 3-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-6 while Darren barely broke a sweat in beating local lad Cai Younger 11-3, 11-3, 11-7.

It was also a good day for the other Malaysians as not a single one of them lost in the early rounds.

Thirteen-year-old Ooi Kah Yan was a standout performer. She recovered from two sets down to beat lanky Rawan El Kalaawy of England 7-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 in the second round of the girls’ Under-15 category.