KUALA LUMPUR: Promising squash player N. Shasmithaa has set her sights on cracking the top-100 in the rankings after claiming her maiden WSF Satellite Tournament title in Penang yesterday.
Shasmithaa emerged victorious at the PSA Satellite No. 4 Tournament after downing South Korean Ain Jun 11-7, 7-11, 8-11, 11-2 in the final at the Nicol David Squash Centre in Bukit Dumbar last night.
In the men's final, top seed Andrik Lim's hopes of winning his second satellite title were dashed after he was upset by joint third-fourth seed Ryu Jeong Min of South Korea 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 7-11.
Shasmithaa said she was relieved to have clinched her breakthrough win on tour and is keen to continue improving her game.
"I struggled in my first three satellite tournaments but I never let it affect my performance in the final here," said Shasmithaa.
"This is a big boost for my squash career. I will work hard with my coach Efrahim Gul (of Pakistan) over the next few months and aim to be stronger at the next satellite tournament in Seremban (June).
"I will be playing in seven more satellite tournaments this season and my target is to break into the top-100 bracket by the end the year."
Shasmitha's win in Penang is expected to move her into the top-200 when the updated rankings are released. She was 204th prior to the tournament.
KW: Squash, N. Shasmithaa, PSA Satellite No. 4