Aira upstages world No. 51 Ka Yi to reach quarter-finals

Aira Azman (left) and Hadith Danial Jefri (right) showing their medals upon arrival at KLIA. Aira Azman won second women under-15 and Hadith Danial won second boys under-13 at the British Junior Open. AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: National junior squash player Aira Azman made heads turn when she served up a huge stunner to march into the women’s quarter-finals at the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil.

Aira, who will only turn 15 on Sunday, showed her mental strength to come back from a set down to upstage fifth seed and world No. 51 Lee Ka Yi of Hong Kong 13-15,11-9,11-9,11-9 in a tight second-round battle at the National Squash Centre yesterday.