Rachel wins junior meet after world championship heartbreak

KUALA LUMPUR: National junior Rachel Arnold made amends for missing out on a chance to compete in the Women World Junior Squash Championship at Harvard University, Boston from July 20-30, by winning the Under-19 title in the National Junior Circuit Grand Finals at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Rachel, the younger sister of national No. 3 Delia Arnold, was initially set to compete in the World Juniors but the Squash Racquets Association Malaysia (SRAM) could only afford to send four players.

With Tan Yan Xin, Yong Sue Ann and Vanessa Raj having confirmed their spots earlier, this led to a fight for the last berth between Rachel and Celine Yeap.

The duo were scheduled to meet in the semi-finals of the Penang Junior Open last month, with the winner earning a ticket to Boston.

Rachel surprisingly crashed out in the quarter-finals, thus her ommission from the squad.

Yesterday win over top seed Young Sue Ann did not come easy for the 15-year-old Rachel.

She won the first set but lost the second and was 0-10 down in the third. Although she fought back Rachel lost the set at 7-11 but stormed back to take the fourth and fifth to win 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7.

Earlier on Saturday, Rachel had sent second seed Vanessa of Penang packing in the semi-finals with another thrilling five set victory.

“I started off quite nervous and in the third set when I was 0-10 down, I just kept trying. I’m very happy to win because I had a point to prove after being dropped from the World Juniors squad,” said Rachel.

“I was actually quite disappointed when I learned that I will not be going to the World Juniors because I was really looking forward to it.”

“Hopefully this win will erase some of that disappointment,” said Rachel.

And national coach, Raymond Arnold who is also Rachel’s father could be seen grinning from ear to ear.

“I’m very proud of her. She didn’t get off to a good start but she dug in well and showed tremendous fighting spirit,” said Raymond.

“It was a bit unfortunate that she was dropped from the World Juniors squad because she was struggling with an ankle injury and blisters then which led to her early exit at Penang.”

Meanwhile, in the boy’s event, Mohd Addeen Idrakie made sure of his status as the top junior in the country by beating the second seeded Affeeq Abedeen 11-9, 11-9, 11-6.

It was also sweet revenge for Addeen who had lost to Affeeq in the third leg of the junior circuit in Penang in May.