KUALA LUMPUR: National No. 2 Rachel Arnold got off to a good start in the US$190,000 Tournament of Champions (TOC) by defeating Hong Kong's Tong Tsz-Wing 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 in the first round in New York on Wednesday.
But World No. 27 Rachel will find the going tougher in the next round as she will be up against Egypt's second seed Nouran Gohar.
World No. 14 S. Sivasangari, who received a bye in the first round, will face American Sabrina Sobhy in the second round.
National No. 1 Sivasangari had beaten Sobhy in the Hong Kong Football Club Open last November.
In the men's competition, Asian champion and joint ninth seed Ng Eain Yow, who received a first round bye, will meet third seed Paul Coll of Australia.
National No. 3 Aifa Azman has withdrawn from the TOC due to a knee injury.