FOR so long, Delia Arnold struggled to break through a psychological barrier when playing against the world’s top players but that is no longer the case.
With the help of a sports psychologist, the national No 3 has finally discovered a way through, as evidenced in her 7-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9 upset of World No 6 Alison Waters of England in the CIMB Malaysian Open women’s first round yesterday.
Delia, 28, admitted to having flashbacks to some of her worst nightmares including blowing a two-game lead against Alison in the first round of the 2010 Kuala Lumpur Open.
The same thing happened at the 2011 Malaysian Open when Delia self-destructed from two games up and holding match point against Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy.
“I actually thought about that last (Monday) night,” said World No 39 Delia in Bukit Jalil yesterday. “But I managed to come through this time. It’s a good start for me.
“I’ve changed the way I play from playing fast-pace from the first to fifth games to varying the pace.
“I’ve been seeing a sport psychologist and that has helped me become more confident. I know I have the ability to play squash but I’ve always struggled mentally.
“Over the last two or three years, my squash has suffered (having been ranked as high as 20th) and that’s when I knew I had to seek help."
Delia had never made it past the first round in five main draw appearances at the Malaysian Open but now can look forward to a possible quarter-final outing when she meets former American world junior champion Amanda Sobhy today.
“I was disappointed with the way I started the fifth game,” said Delia, who trailed 3-0 before fighting back.
“I played it point by point and when I caught up (at 3-3), I became more confident. As for tomorrow, we’ll see how it goes.”