KUALA LUMPUR: Teenager Aira Azman produced a coming-of-age performance to upset the formbook and storm into the semi-finals of the SRAM PSA 6 squash tournament today.
The 17-year-old came from two games down to upstage second seed Ooi Kah Yan 10-12, 8-11, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10 in the quarter-finals at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil.
It was a remarkable showing from the one-time British Junior Open winner as she is ranked only No 297 in the world in comparison to Kah Yan who is No 93.
It is also Aira's biggest scalp since defeating Hong Kong's Lee Ka Yi, who was ranked world No 51 then, in the second round of the Malaysian Open in 2019.
And the Kedahan was certainly chuffed to have reached the semi-finals of a Professional Squash Association Tour event for the first time.
"I was 2-0 down today and in both the first two games, I was leading only to lose the lead," said Aira.
"But I kept telling myself not to give up and I think I did well to win the next three games.
"This win definitely means a lot to me as it's the first time I reached the semi-finals of a PSA event, and Kah Yan is also much more experienced compared to me.
"It has also given me a lot of confidence and I hope to do well in the semi-finals as well since there is no pressure on me."
Aira will next meet third seed Chan Yiwen, who denied a sibling showdown by beating Aika Azman 11-6, 11-4, 11-0.
Fourth seed Yee Xin Ying also progressed by beating U. Thanusaa 11-3, 11-8, 3-11, 11-3.
In the men's event, second seed Syafiq Kamal survived a five-setter against Wee Ming Hock, prevailing 11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7.
He will next meet third seed Addeen Idrakie, who also pulled through in five by beating Duncan Lee 6-11, 11-2, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, for a place in the final.
Results
Men
Quarter-finals: Syafiq Kamal bt Wee Ming Hock 11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7; Addeen Idrakie bt Duncan Lee 6-11, 11-2, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8; Darren Rahul Pragasam bt Ong Sai Hung 4-11, 13-11, 11-9, 5-11, 12-10.
Women
Quarter-finals: Aira Azman bt Ooi Kah Yan 10-12, 8-11, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10; Chan Yiwen bt Aika Azman 11-6, 11-4, 11-0; Yee Xin Ying bt U. Thanusaa 11-3, 11-8, 3-11, 11-3.