Rachel reigns over King, but wary of Egypt’s Rowan in quarter-finals

PETALING JAYA: National squash player Rachel Arnold (pic) stormed into the quarter-finals of the China Open, but she cannot afford to let her guard down just yet.

Yesterday, the world No. 30 Rachel brought her best to the court and defeated world No. 68 Joelle King 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 in the second round at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Centre in Shanghai.

This marks Rachel’s second straight win over the New Zealand player, following her triumph at the Paris Squash last year.

Rachel was relieved that she managed to carry out her game plan throughout the match.

“I felt I played well today,” said Rachel.

“I was confident with my game and I was just trying to stick to my game plan as much as possible, so I think I executed that well throughout the whole match.”

In her next battle, Rachel faces an uphill task against top seed and world No. 8 Rowan Elaraby of Egypt in the last 16 today.

Though she has lost three of their five previous encounters, Rachel is eager to compete against Rowan, who is also her practice partner during summer training in Florida.

“Well, we only practiced quite a bit during summer training, but not so much since then,” said Rachel.

“But I think we definitely know how each other plays.

“It’ll be tough because she is a strong player, but I’ve been working hard too, so I’m excited to play.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and will try to get the win.”

Rachel will be joined by compatriot and world No. 35 Aira Azman, who defeated Egypt’s No. 37 Salma Eltayeb 10-12, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 in another round two match.

S. Sivasangari also booked her spot in the quarter-finals after beating compatriot Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi 11-6, 15-13, 11-9.

Meanwhile in the men’s category, Ng Eain Yow triumphed over Egypt’s Yahya Elnawasany 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-2 to advance to the quarter-finals.

Malaysians unless stated

Men: Mohamed Elshorbagy (Eng) bt Omar Mosaad (Egy) 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8; Lau Tsz Kwan (Hkg) bt Nicolas Mueller (Sui) 12-10, 7-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-7; Iker Pajares (Esp) bt Simon Herbert (Eng) 11-7, 11-2, 5-11, 11-7; Fares Dessouky (Egy) by Jonah Bryant (Eng) 11-7, 11-3, 11-9; Ng Eain Yow bt Yahya Elnawasany (Egy) 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-2; Mohamad Zakaria (Egy) bt Dimitri Steinmann (Sui) 11-7, 11-8, 11-5.Women: Rowan Elaraby (Egy) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (Egy) 11-2, 11-1, 11-7; Rachel Arnold bt Joelle King (Nze) 11-8, 11-6, 11-4; Sana Ibrahim (Egy) by Lee Ka Yi (Hkg) 11-6, 11-8, 12-10; Aira Azman bt Salma Eltayeb (Egy) 10-12, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5; Tomato Ho (Hkg) bt Torrie Malik (Eng) 11-7, 11-5, 11-7; Farida Mohamed (Egy) bt Tong Tsz Wing (Hkg) 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 11-2; Georgia Adderley (Sco) bt Nadine Shahin (Egy) 11-6, 15, 11-6; S. Sivasangari bt Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi 11-6, 15-13, 11-9.