Early exit for Ivan despite valiant fight

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s squash player Ivan Yuen (pic) did not get off to the good start that he had wished for this year.

After a valiant fight in the first two sets against Egyptian Omar Mosaad, the 31-year-old eventually bowed out of the Sturbridge Capital Motor City Open in Bloomfield Hills with an 11-9, 12-10, 5-11, 6-11, 5-11 first-round defeat.

Mosaad, who is 1.93m tall, will face countryman and world No. 9 Fares Dessouky next.

Ng Eain Yow, who received a first-round bye, will take on Spaniard Borja Galan in the second round.

The 38-year-old Galan, ranked world No. 43, shocked world No. 35 and home favourite Todd Harrity 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 in the opener.

If Eain Yow upstages Galan, he could face the world No. 2 from New Zealand Paul Coll, who is the top seed in the tournament.

Coll takes on Mexican world No. 75 Cesar Salazar next.