Eain Yow shatters Ivan’s dream of record win to lift maiden national title

No let-up: Ng Eain Yow returning a shot to Ivan Yuen during their final match of the National Championships. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Ng Eain Yow crushed Ivan Yuen’s dreams of a high five at the National Squash Championships by clinching his maiden title at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

And he did in style by breezing past the four-time champion 11-6, 11-3, 11-2 in just 27 minutes.

The final was hardly a contest as Ivan looked out of depth and could only give token resistance to his opponent who was in total command from the first game where he took an 8-1 lead.

While Eain Yow looked every bit as a world No. 23, Ivan struggled to raise his game and looked lethargic as the former exacted revenge for his defeat in the 2019 final.

Even Eain Yow was surprised by the easy victory.

“I’m not only happy with the title but also satisfied with the way I played. This performance is the way forward for me in terms of handling the pressure of being the No. 1 seed and bringing out my best game,” said Eain Yow

“I’ve never beaten Ivan in such a convincing manner as our previous matches have always been close.

“I think the exposure of playing abroad and being based in the United Kingdom for the last three years had made a lot of difference.”

Meanwhile, the women’s final lived up to expectations particularly due to a spirited performance from Aifa Azman who forced S. Sivasangari to rely on her experience of playing top-level squash for the last six months to come out tops.

Sivasangari secured a 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9 win in 33 minutes to secure her second national crown after winning it in 2018.

The long season, where Sivasangari has been playing non-stop squash since January, probably showed but her experience prevailed in the end.

The world No. 19 was full of praise for Aifa, who pushed her to the limit.

“Happy to win my second title but it has been a long season. Aifa has improved a lot and is climbing up the rankings. It was a tough match but I managed to stick to my game plan and finish it in four games,” said Sivasangari.

“I rushed too much and went for my shots too early in the second and struggled a little with my movement. But I changed in the third set and contained her with a basic game and it worked.”

FINAL RESULTS

Men: Ng Eain Yow bt Ivan Yuen 11-6, 11-3, 11-2.

Women: S. Sivasangari bt Aifa Azman 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9.