Confident Aira out to dazzle at World Championships
KUALA LUMPUR: Fresh from her Bermuda Open triumph, squash star Aira Azman will head into the World Championships brimming with confidence as the tournament gets underway in Chicago on Friday.
The world No. 30 capped a strong showing in Devonshire by beating Egypt's Hana Moataz (world No. 38) 12-10, 11-3, 11-6 in Saturday's women's final — her fourth title on the PSA Tour.
The two-time national champion is making her third appearance at the Worlds and will be hoping to surpass last year's run in Chicago, where she made the second round before falling to England's Georgina Kennedy (No. 7) after beating Wales' Lowri Roberts.
This year, Aira opens her campaign against England's Torrie Malik (No. 44) in what will be their first meeting on tour.
A win could set up a second-round clash with Egypt's Salma Hany (No. 12), the reigning Manchester Open champion.
The 21-year-old, who claimed bronze at the U-23 World Championships in Karachi last month, is focused but measured in her ambitions.
"I haven't played Torrie before, but I'm looking forward to it," said Aira, who also bagged silver at the 2023 World Juniors in Melbourne.
"I've been training hard since last year for this event, and I'll be taking it one match at a time in Chicago."
Aira leads a strong Malaysian charge in the women's draw, which also features S. Sivasangari (No. 9), Rachel Arnold (No. 19), Aifa Azman (No. 42) and Ainaa Amani (No. 47).
In the men's category, Malaysia will be represented by Ng Eain Yow (No. 10) and Sanjay Jeeva (No. 69).
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