Rising star keeps veteran Ivan on guard in last-four clash

PETALING JAYA: Ivan Yuen (pic) intends to keep his feet on the ground despite his impressive record when he competes in the semi-finals of the National Squash Championships today.

The four-time champion defeated Mohd Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif 11-2, 11-6, 11-7 to clear his quarter-final hurdle at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Ivan will face rising star C. Ameeshenraj, who outplayed Mohd Syafiq Kamal 15-13, 11-2, 11-9 in another quarter-final match, in the last four today.

Ivan may have the advantage in terms of experience but he refused to take his opponent lightly.

“I think every match is going to be tough and there’s no easy way out,” said Ivan.

“All I can do is to prepare myself well and make sure that I’m ready for tomorrow’s (today’s) match.

“I’ve never played Ameeshenraj before because he is a junior.

“I wouldn’t say that it will be an easy game tomorrow (today) because nothing is easy in squash so, I still need to be well-prepared and strategically plan my game.”

Ivan was crowned the men’s singles champion in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 before having to settle for silver after going down to Ng Eain Yow in the final last year.

Defending champions Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari are skipping the national meet this time to prepare for the Hangzhou Asian Games from Sept 23-Oct 8.

With Eain Yow absent, Ivan stands a good chance of winning his fifth national title but he is not thinking too far ahead.

“The national (meet) has always been one of my favourite tournaments because I won many times,” said Ivan.

“But I don’t want to be over confident. I want to take it step by step.”

Quarter-finals

Men: Addeen Idrakie bt Mohd Amir Amirul Azhar 11-4, 11-5, 11-7; Ong Sai Hung bt Darren Rahul Pragasam 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8; C. Ameeshenraj bt Mohd Syafiq Kamal 15-13, 11-2, 11-9; Ivan Yuen bt Mohd Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif 11-2, 11-6, 11-7.

Women: Rachel Arnold bt Doyce Lee Ye San 11-4, 11-4, 11-9; Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi bt Wong Heng Wai 11-4, 11-8, 12-10; Yee Xin Ying bt Chan Yiwen 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9; Aira Azman bt K. Sehveetrraa 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.