Chicago hope

Back to you: S. Sivasangari (front) in action against Egypt’s Sana Ibrahim in the second round of the World Championships in Chicago. — PSA Squash Tour

PETALING JAYA: The road is only getting tougher for national squash players Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari but both are fired up to achieve their best results in the World Championships in Chicago.

Eain Yow and Sivasangari have never made it past the third round at the world meet and they know it will not be any easier this time as well.

World No. 10 Ng Eain Yow reached the third round by quickly defeating world No. 58 Mohd Asim Khan of Pakistan 11-4, 11-2, 11-4 in just 32 minutes at the University Club of Chicago on Sunday.

Eain Yow’s best result at the worlds came last year when he made it to the third round in Cairo, but the journey was stopped by New Zealand’s Paul Coll.

This year in Chicago, however, Eain Yow has to get past world No. 1 Mostafa Asal of Egypt if he wishes to advance further.

It’s no walk in the park as Eain Yow heads into the fixture with just one win in three matches over Asal, who had just won the El Gouna International last month.

In the women’s category, Sivasangari is in the same boat as she looks to reach her personal best result in the worlds.

World No. 9 Sivasangari’s best finish came last year when she ended her run in the third round at the hands of Egypt’s Hania El Hammamy.

This time Sivasangari has world No. 8 Amanda Sobhy standing between her and further progression in the tournament.

Both players will be heading into the fixture all equal with two wins each against each other, but Sivasangari has the edge as she won their recent match at the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup final in February.

Sivasangari made her way into the third round after getting past world No. 17 Sana Ibrahim by winning 11-4, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5, marking her fifth straight win against the Egyptian.

However, the journey ended for Aira Azman and Rachel Arnold in the second round.

World No. 26 Aira lost 6-11, 10-12, 4-11 to world No. 12 Salma Hany of Egypt while world No. 19 Rachel went down 5-11, 2-11, 13-11, 5-11 to world No. 4 Olivia Weaver of the United States.

RESULTS

Second round

(Malaysians only)

Men: Ng Eain Yow bt Mohd Asim Khan (Pak) 11-4, 11-2, 11-4.

Women: S. Sivasangari bt Sana Ibrahim (Egy) 11-4, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5, Olivia Weaver (US) bt Rachel Arnold 11-5, 11-2, 11-13, 11-5, Salma Hanh (Egy) bt Aira Azman 11-6, 12-10, 11-4.