KUALA LUMPUR: Squash player Amir Amirul Azhar celebrated a significant milestone in his professional career as he clinched his first PSA Tour title after six years in the circuit.
The Kelantan-born lived up to his top billing in the PSA WSF Satellite No. 12, triumphing over compatriot M. Nickhileswar with a commanding 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 victory in the men's final at the Nicol David International Squash Arena in Penang today.En route to the final, Amir, 20, defeated Singapore's Jerry Chan 11-2, 11-5, 11-13, 11-4 in the quarter-finals and Egypt's Omar Taufik 11-4, 11-6, 11-8 in the semi-finals.
"I participated in eight tour events this year and reached the final twice. The first one was in the WSF Satellite No. 1 in Seremban in March, but I lost in the final. "Winning the title is a boost for my career, and I hope to maintain my good form next year," said world No. 315 Amir.
In the women's final, Malaysia's Whitney Isabelle secured her third tour victory by defeating compatriot Jessica Keng 11-4. The 15-year-old, who competed in six Satellite tournaments this year, emphasized her impressive rise in the world rankings.
In the women's final, Malaysia's Whitney Isabelle defeated compatriot Jessica Keng 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 to win her third tour tournament.The 15-year-old, who competed in six Satellite tournaments this year, said: "I made a substantial jump from No. 389 to No. 253 in the world rankings thanks to my victories."