A fired up Eain Yow upsets top seed Carlos in SSJM

Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow (left) makes a return against Spain's Carlos Cornes Ribadas during the Malaysian Tour Squash Circuit at the Royal Lake Club, April 13, 2016. GLENN GUAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Budding professional squash player Ng Eain Yow certainly knows how to the handle the heat.

The 18-year-old claimed a sensational 9-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-1 upset win over top seed Carlos Cornes Ribadas in the first round of the second leg of the Malaysian Tour Squash Circuit (SSJM).

“I was a bit nervous in the first set, but I played very well from the second set onwards,” said world No. 170 Eain Yow.

“The heat definitely played a part here. Two years ago, when I first competed at this venue, I couldn’t handle it. This result will surely help me break into the top 100 this year.”

Eain Yow, who finished runner-up in the first leg of the SSJM in Malacca last month, faces compatriot and fifth seed Valentino Bon Jovi Bong in the quarter-finals.

In the women’s event, qualifiers Andrea Lee and Aifa Azman delivered strong performances to beat seeded players.

The 17-year-old Andrea fought back from 2-1 down to beat fourth seed Lakeesha Rarere of Australia 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6 while 14-year-old Aifa proved too strong for fifth seed Sadia Gul.

Aifa was leading 11-3, 11-4, 5-2 when her opponent retired.

A third seed upset saw top seed Vanessa Raj crash to a 6-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11 loss to team-mate Nazihah Hanis.