Squash gamble pays off for fearless Zoe Foo
The ninth seed stunned joint-fifth seed Anrie Goh 11-6, 11-6, 5-11, 10-12, 11-4 in a tough 41-minute battle to reach the women's quarter-finals at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Penang.
The 27-year-old, who holds a degree in Organisational Sciences from George Washington University, will face top seed and defending champion Aira Azman in the last eight on Friday.
Zoe, formerly employed by a Japanese strategy and management consulting firm, said: "I quit my job in June this year and started playing competitive squash again.
"I am happy to beat Anrie, whom I lost to in four games at the Ace Satellite tournament in June."
The fearless Zoe added she is ready to give Aira a tough time.
"I am looking forward to facing Aira, who is a very skilful player. I will go all out to give my best in the quarter-finals."
There was another upset in the women's draw as V. Haneesha ousted joint-fifth seed Chen Yu Jie 13-11, 11-4, 11-9 in just 22 minutes. She now meets second seed Aifa Azman.
Doyce Lee defeated Angie Ooi 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 to set up a clash with third seed Goh Zhi Xuan, while Harleein Tan overcame Ayesha Rania 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9 to reach the last eight.
Selected results
Men's 1st rd: Duncan Lee bt Ivan Chang 11-1, 11-4, 11-8; Low Wa Sern bt Hasvind Kugan 12-10, 11-5, 11-7; Joachim Chuah bt Tho Wei Yan 11-5, 11-8, 11-2; Hazif Zharif bt Raziq Putra Fakhrur 11-5, 11-4, 11-7; M. Nickheleswar bt Tay Jun Qian 9-11, 10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 11-8.
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