Aira passes stern Welsh test to advance at World C’ships

PETALING JAYA: Squash player Aira Azman (pic) survived a strong challenge from Wales’ Lowri Roberts to advance to the second round of the World Championships.

World No. 37 Aira was pushed hard by world No. 96 Roberts but she managed to stay cool to come out on top 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 14-12 in Cairo on Friday.

The 19-year-old, though, faces a tough task next against England’s world No. 6 Georgina Kennedy.

Meanwhile, world No. 13 S. Sivasangari has a good opportunity to make it to the third round when she plays the United States’ world No. 59 Caroline Fouts next.

In the men’s event, Ng Eain Yow is also out to make it to the third round when he meets Japan’s Ryunosuke Tsukue.

The world No. 18 is on a high after toppling world No. 16 Frenchman Baptiste Masotti 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 in the first round.

“I feel I’m in a good place coming into this tournament,” said Eain Yow, who won the German Open in Hamburg last month.

“I have been playing well this year. I know where I’m doing well and where my strengths are.

“Let’s see how it goes here. I’m feeling positive.”

Both Eain Yow and Sivasangari are Malaysia’s best bets to reach the quarter-finals in the prestigious tournament for the first time since the legendary Datuk Nicol David in 2017 in Manchester.