KUALA LUMPUR: The Azman sisters, Aifa and Aira, are set to clash for the first time in a PSA tournament.
The two siblings from Kedah, who are in the Fast Track programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, are expected to meet in the second round of the Australian Open which begins tomorrow in Sydney.
Aifa, 22, received a first round bye and is likely to face Aira, 19, in the second round.
World No. 44 and national champion Aira is expected to beat world No. 85 Wai Yhann Au Yeong of Singapore in the first round.
World No. 35 and sixth seed Aifa said: "My sister always gives her best in tournaments. I just want to win one match at a time and do my best in this tournament."
If Aifa gets past her younger sister, she will face world No. 11 and top seed Salma Hany of Egypt in the quarter-finals.
National chief coach Ajaz Azmat said if both the sisters meet in the second round, this would be the first time they face each other in a PSA tournament.
"Aira is playing well and she might just upset her sister in the Australian Open.
"If Aira gets past Aifa. she has a chance to upset top seed Salma for a place in the semis."
He said national No. 2 and third seed Rachel Arnold also has a good chance of reaching the last eight after receiving a first round bye and will play the winner of the match between Malaysia's Yasshmita Jadis Kumar and Hong Kong's Cheng Nga Ching. World No. 87 Chan Yiwen should beat world No. 138 Erin Classen of Australia in the first round.
In the men's competition, national No. 2 Addeen Idrakie should get past Hong Kong's Wong Chi Him. Sanjay Jeeva will meet France's Toufik Mekhalfi and Syafiq Kamal will face Hong Kong's Tang Ming Hong.