Wildcard Aifa Storms Into KL Semis

Malaysian teen sensation Aifa Azman recorded her third straight upset at the Bukit Jalil National Squash Centre in Kula Lumpur to storm into the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open.

The 19-year-old wildcard superbly rose to the challenge as she claimed a highly impressive 11-9, 11-9, 11-5 win over Egypt's world 35 Hana Ramadan in the quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour Bronze event.

It is a third successive scalp for the world No 69 who has already beaten world No 47 Mayar Hany and world No 31 Yathreb Adel, both of Egypt, in the first and second rounds respectively.

And the Kedahan is certainly exceeding expectations by reaching her first ever Professional Squash Association Bronze event semi-finals.

"I'm very happy to win 3/0 because I had a tough game yesterday so it's really nice to come through and win in three is a good result," said a delighted Aifa.

"I was probably a little nervous in the second round but after beating Yathreb who is the third seed, I was definitely a lot more relaxed today.

"I think I cried a little because I was just happy to be through to my first Bronze event semi-finals.

"Now I'm focused on getting a good recovery session because my plan for the semi-finals is to win as well."

Aifa takes on world No 19 Danielle Letourneau for a place in the final after the Canadian took out world No 14 and second seed Nadine Shahin of Egypt 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8.

"I'm playing Danielle in the semi-finals and I don't know too much about her game. I do know she has improved a lot and has been in the top 20 so I'm going to study her game tonight.

Hopes of a second Malaysian semi-finalist did not materialise as Rachel Arnold lost a nail-biting five-setter against top seed and world No 8 Salma Hany of Egypt.

The world No 43 had a 2/1 lead but could not capitalise as Salma dug deep for the 11-3 8-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6 win in 44 minutes.

The Egyptian goes on to meet Canada's world No 17 Hollie Naughton, who downed Hong Kong's Ho Tze Lok 11-8, 13-11, 11-13, 11-5.

In the men's event, Ng Eain Yow kept up his impressive record on home ground as he signalled his intent for the title.

The world No 18 was on fire as he clinched a convincing 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 win over world No 31 Nicolas Mueller of Switzerland.

"I thought it was a good performance because I played Mueller in the final here two years ago so to win 3/0 today is a really good result for me," said Eain Yow.

"I thought maybe he was not at 100 percent but I kept my focus and my plan was always to keep the intensity high and to keep pushing him around the court.

"I'm definitely feeling very good in this tournament and I'm here to win the tournament so I'm ready to do whatever it takes."

Eain Yow takes on top seed Miguel Rodriguez of Colombia, who eased past United States' Shahjahan Khan 11-1, 11-9, 11-1 in the last four.

"It will be my third time playing Miguel this year but I'm feeling a lot fresher this time and the home crowd here has also been fantastic," added Eain Yow.