PETALING JAYA: A stern test awaits national women’s squash players Aifa Azman and Rachel Arnold after they both advanced to the second round of the Silicon Valley Open in California on Tuesday (Oct 20).
World No. 21 Aifa got past her opening-round hurdle after she beat world No. 43 Marta Dominguez of Spain 3-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-9 at the Squash Zone in Redwood City.
However, Aifa will now take on compatriot and world No. 4 S. Sivasangari in the second round.
Aifa has yet to get past her countrymate on tour, with Sivasangari having won all six of their previous encounters, including their meeting at the Karachi Open semi-finals in January.
Meanwhile, world No. 22 Rachel defeated Ukrainian world No. 47 Alina Bushma 11-6, 11-9, 13-15, 11-9 to enter the second round, where she will face fifth seed home player Amanda Sobhy.
The American holds the edge over Rachel, having won three of their past meetings.
A win from Rachel would set up an all-Malaysian quarter-final tie as she would face either Aifa or Sivasangari.
