THERE is no better way to get out of a rut than family support.
And that is exactly what national squash player Low Wee Wern did as she looked to get back on track following an underwhelming start to the year.
The former world No. 5 was far from her best in her opening tournament of the year, struggling to find her rhythm as she lost in five games to England’s Julianne Courtice in the first round of the Tournament of Champions (TOC) in New York two weeks ago.
It was Wee Wern’s second consecutive first round exit following an early loss at the Women’s World Championships in November.
So last week, the 29-year-old took some time out to spend with her younger sister - Wee Nee, whom she had only met once in the last four years.
Wee Nee, 28, was a former top national junior before leaving for the US in 2011 to pursue her studies and is now based in Cincinnati.
And it appeared to have delivered the desired effect as Wee Wern finally hit the ground running to beat American world No. 45 Haley Mendez in the first round of the Carol Weymuller Open in Brooklyn on Wednesday.
The Penangite had a slow start but held her ground as she eventually secured an 11-9, 13-11, 11-7 win in 38 minutes.
And Wee Wern felt that her brief family time allowed her to get her head back in the game.
“I am very close with Wee Nee as it was the both of us being No. 1 and No. 2 for Malaysia during our junior days,” said Wee Wern.
“We used to travel together a fair bit so when she decided to move to the US, it was a very big change.
“I’ve not seen her in a year and when I was out injured, we didn’t meet for three whole years.
“I thought Haley played well and it was close in the first two games. If I didn’t take those two close games it would have been a different outcome since it’s her home court.”
Wee Wern, who has worked hard to get her career back on track following two years on the sidelines due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, will meet American fifth seed Amanda Sobhy in the second round.