PETALING JAYA: Ng Eain Yow extended his giant-killing run to storm into the men’s semi-finals of the NZ International Classic squash championships.
The 19-year-old proved to be a resilient force, coming from behind to stun top seed Peter Creed of Wales 4-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6 in the quarter-finals in Palmerston North yesterday.
World No. 88 Eain Yow was slow off the blocks as world No. 60 Creed seized the early initiative.
But reigning world junior champion Eain Yow took six straight points to nick the second set. Creed, however, was back in front by taking the third set.
Fortunately for Eain Yow, he found his length in the fourth set to seal the last four spot after a 67-minute battle.
Eain Yow, who topped seventh seed Joshua Larkin of Australia in the first round on Thursday, next faces fourth seed Mahesh Mangaokar of India for a place in the final.
World No. 79 Mahesh proved too strong for Malaysian Mohd Syafiq Kamal as he prevailed 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4 in 54 minutes.
“I was quite flat in the first set as I wasn’t thinking properly,” admitted Eain Yow.
“But I managed to get the ball deeper to the back of the court and cut down my mistakes after the third set.
“Having coach Andrew (Cross) and the rest of my team-mates here certainly helped as I managed to push on in the end.
“It’s certainly a big win. I’m more confident now going into my match against Mahesh tomorrow. It will be tough but I believe I can do it,” added Eain Yow.
In the women’s event, Andrea Lee came through two matches to book her place in the semi-finals.
Fourth seeded Andrea defeated homester Ellie Jones 11-3, 11-7, 11-8 before edging compatriot Aika Azman 11-3, 12-10, 11-6 in the last eight.
World No. 88 Andrea next meets Scotland’s Lisa Aitken, who stunned top seed Amanda Landers-Murphy of New Zealand 7-11, 11-5, 11-13, 11-6, 11-6, for a place in the final.
“It’s really cold here. I’ve been trying to get used to the weather and the ball is also not bouncy at all,” said Andrea.
“It’s not going to be easy against Lisa as she’s a lefthander like me. She’s been on Tour for a long time, but I hope to give a good account of myself.”
Three other Malaysians - Zoe Foo, Aifa Azman and Nazihah Hanis - were sent packing in the first round.
RESULTS
Men
Quarter-finals: Ng Eain Yow (Mas) bt Peter Creed (Wal) 4-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6; Mahesh Mangaokar (Ind) bt Mohd Syafiq Kamal (Mas) 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4; Greg Lobban (Sco) bt Evan Williams (Nzl) 11-3, 11-5, 11-3; Angus Gillams (Eng) bt Lance Beddoes (Nzl) 11-7, 11-4, 11-2.
Women
First round: Amanda Landers-Murphy (Nzl) bt Megan Craig (Nzl) 11-5, 11-2, 11-4; Lisa Aitken (Sco) bt Nazihah Hanis (Mas) 11-6, 11-8, 11-4; Aika Azman (Mas) bt Eum Hwa-yeong (Kor) 11-7, 11-7, 11-8; Andrea Lee (Mas) bt Ellie Jones (Nzl) 11-3, 11-7, 11-8; Kaitlyn Watts (Nzl) bt Samantha Foyle (Aus) 11-13, 11-4, 16-14, 11-4; Jemyca Aribado (Phi) bt Zoe Foo (Mas) 11-4, 11-8, 12-10; Emma Millar (Nzl) bt Aifa Azman (Mas) 11-5, 11-3, 12-10; Jessica Turnbull (Aus) bt Abbie Palmer (Nzl) 11-9, 11-7, 11-5.
Quarter-finals: Lisa Aitken (Sco) bt Amanda Landers-Murphy (Nzl) 7-11, 11-5, 11-13, 11-6, 11-6; Andrea Lee (Mas) bt Aika Azman (Mas) 11-3, 12-10, 11-6; Jemyca Aribado (Phi) bt Kaitlyn Watts (Nzl) 11-6, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8; Emma Millar (Nzl) bt Jessica Turnbull (Aus) 11-8, 12-10, 11-5.
