NATIONAL squash player Rachel Arnold secured her place in the second round of the Egyptian Open 2025 after a hard-fought victory over compatriot Aifa Azman in a five-game thriller.
Rachel staged a strong comeback after losing the opening game to seal a 3-2 victory with scores of 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-13, and 12-10.
She will next face Egypt’s Salma Hany in her second-round match later today.
Earlier, Aifa’s younger sister Aira Azman produced an impressive comeback to defeat Egypt’s Nadine Shahin 3-2 with scores of 6-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7, and 11-3.
Aira’s victory sets up a second-round clash against world number three Hania El Hammamy of Egypt.
Malaysia’s campaign suffered a setback when Aina Amani bowed out after losing 2-3 to Scotland’s Georgia Adderley with scores of 11-7, 11-5, 4-11, 8-11, and 7-11.
National number one S. Sivasangari received a first-round bye and will begin her campaign in the second round against Egypt’s Nour Heikal.
In the men’s competition, national ace Ng Eain Yow will start his campaign with a second-round match against local player Kareem El Torkey. – Bernama
