Malaysian junior Aifa Azman bowed out of the Women’s World Championship second round on Friday, a day after a sensational upset in Cairo.
The 17-year-old Aifa’s first appearance in the main draw of the world meet ended in an 11-7, 11-7, 11-3 defeat to Belgian Tinne Gilis but can look back on her Egyptian experience with fondness after marking her debut by beating World No 16 Joey Chan of Hong Kong on Thursday.
World No 89 Aifa qualified for the main draw by winning the North Coast Open in Australia in August.
“She beat Joey Chan yesterday, so I knew she was good and that it was going to be a good match today regardless. I’m happy with my performance,” said World No 26 Gilis.
Aifa’s defeat leaves S. Sivasangari, who stunned World No 8 Amanda Sobhy of the United States on Thursday, as the sole Malaysian remaining in the event when she plays her second round match against Milou van der Heijden of the Netherlands on Saturday.
In the men’s Egyptian Open running alongside the women’s tournament, Malaysian Open winner Ng Eain Yow advanced to the second round by beating wildcard Yahia Elnawsany of Egypt 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-4.
However national champion Ivan Yuen exited in the opening round after a 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 defeat to 2017 Asian champion Max Lee of Hong Kong.
“I was 6-2 down in the first game but luckily I managed to get that back. In the second game he did the same, but I stuck to my game plan and made it really hard for him and it paid off,” said World No 32 Eain Yow, who faces Gemany’s Raphael Kandra on Saturday.
“In the first game there was a big rally at 6-4 and I figured out that he gets tired quickly. All credit to him, I didn’t start very well in the second, but I just kept focusing and it paid off in four.
“All of the players dream of playing at the glass court in front of the Pyramids. I think it’s a big motivation to do well tomorrow and hopefully get on the glass.”