Aifa takes two hard knocks on way out of Classic

PETALING JAYA: National squash player Aifa Azman was left bloodied and bruised en route to losing in the second round of the Qatar Classic yesterday.

World No. 23 Aifa went down 3-11, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11 to world No. 7 Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt in a 56-minute match that saw the Malaysian require two injury timeouts at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.

While trailing 5-4 in the third set, Aifa was hit in the mouth by Fayrouz’s racquet, leaving her with a bloodied lip as she received treatment courtside.

The injury, however, became a turning point for Aifa as she returned to the court with a smile and battled her way to take the third set 11-8.

In the fourth set, Aifa was hit in the face again. Fayrouz was leading 9-6 when her racquet caught Aifa on the eyebrow during her backswing. Aifa refused to call it quits and returned to the court after another medical timeout, but Fayrouz won 11-6.

Aifa and Fayrouz had met at the Karachi Open earlier this year, with the Malaysian winning their quarter-final clash.

Said Fayrouz: “The first two sets were really good and were all about squash, but after that a lot of calls happened which really interfered with the game.

“The third break suited Aifa well. I know she’s very tough and tricky but I’m glad I managed to do it.”

With Aifa’s exit, Malaysia will be counting on S. Sivasangari to keep the flag flying high.

Sivasangari has already checked into the last eight after defeating world No. 13 Salma Hany of Egypt 12-10, 11-6, 11-6 and will next face Tinne Gilis of Belgium.