Top seed Rachel Arnold battles into Asian Championships final
KUALA LUMPUR: Top seed Rachel Arnold is just one step away from clinching her first Asian Championships women's title after a hard-fought win in the semi-finals in Kuching on Friday.
The 29-year-old, who captured the China Open last year, overcame a spirited challenge from compatriot and fifth seed Aifa Azman, winning 11-9, 11-2, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10 in a 56-minute battle at the Sarawak Squash Centre.
World No 19 Rachel will take on Hong Kong's world No 29 Ho Tze Lok in Saturday's final.
Tze Lok reached the final by defeating Malaysia's world No. 59 Yee Xin Ying 11-9, 5-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6 in 45 minutes.
Rachel was a runner-up in 2021 in Islamabad, losing to Hong Kong's Tong Tsz Wing.
However, she holds a psychological edge going into the final, having beaten Tze Lok in both their previous PSA Tour meetings in 2016.
The top seed admitted that Aifa had pushed her to the limit in the semi-final.
"Aifa gave me a real scare," said Rachel.
"But I thought I did well to hang on and fend off her fightback to reach the final again.
It's never easy to face a teammate in a tournament, and I'm just glad I came through."
Rachel is hoping to become the first Malaysian woman to win the Asian crown since Nicol David in 2015 and is feeling confident about her chances.
"I'll definitely need to be sharp in the final. I have confidence in my game," she said.
"I just need to stay calm and play my game against Tze Lok."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Rachel Arnold reaches Asian Squash final after epic win
KUCHING: National squash ace Rachel Arnold emerged as Malaysia's sole representative to advance to the final of the 23rd Asian Individual Squash Championships after defeating fellow Malaysian Aifa Azman in the women's semi-final at the Sarawak Squash Centre, Petra Jaya, here today. The world No. 19 player overcame Aifa 11-9, 11-2, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10 in a fierce battle that lasted 56 minutes. This victory sees Rachel carrying the nation's hopes into the final, just one step away from clinching her maiden Asian title, after another Malaysian representative, Yee Xin Ying, failed to advance to the final in another semifinal. Yee was defeated by Hong Kong's Ho Tze Lok, who secured a 11-9, 5-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6 victory in a match that lasted 45 minutes. Rachel is scheduled to face Ho in tomorrow's final to vie for the title of the 23rd edition of the championships. Following their semi-final losses, Yee and Aifa concluded their campaigns at the tournament by sharing third placing.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
JDT prep for M-League with La Liga action
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) will play newly promoted La Liga side, Levante UD, in a friendly in Spain next month. Under new head coach Xisco Munoz, the Malaysian champions will do their pre-season training abroad. "More friendly matches in Spain will be announced soon. Levante won the Segunda Division in the 2024-25 season to earn promotion to the Spanish top flight," JDT said on social media on Friday. Among the Levante stars is 21-year-old attacking midfielder Carlos Alvarez, who chalked up seven goals and 11 assists last season. His meteoric rise saw him sign a new deal with a release clause of €25 million (RM127 million). JDT, who aim to be an Asian power, plan to arrange for more matches in Spain, apart from training there.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Rachel Arnold to face Hong Kong's Tze Lok in Asian Women's Individual Squash C'ships final
KUCHING: National squash ace Rachel Arnold emerged as Malaysia's sole representative to advance to the final of the 23rd Asian Individual Squash Championships after defeating fellow Malaysian Aifa Azman in the women's semi-final at the Sarawak Squash Centre, Petra Jaya, here today. The world No. 19 player overcame Aifa 11-9, 11-2, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10 in a fierce battle that lasted 56 minutes. This victory sees Rachel carrying the nation's hopes into the final, just one step away from clinching her maiden Asian title, after another Malaysian representative, Yee Xin Ying, failed to advance to the final in another semifinal. Yee was defeated by Hong Kong's Ho Tze Lok, who secured a 11-9, 5-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6 victory in a match that lasted 45 minutes. Rachel is scheduled to face Ho in tomorrow's final to vie for the title of the 23rd edition of the championships. Following their semi-final losses, Yee and Aifa concluded their campaigns at the tournament by sharing third placing.
