KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champion Rachel Arnold booked her place in the second round of the China Open after a hard-fought win over Hong Kong’s Tong Tsz Wing in Shanghai on Tuesday.
The world No. 22 came from a game down to triumph 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 12-10 in 39 minutes — her sixth win over Tsz Wing in 12 meetings.
Rachel will next face world No. 12 Nele Gilis of Belgium for a spot in the quarter-finals.
The Malaysian has never beaten Gilis in five previous encounters.
World No. 25 Aira Azman also advanced after defeating compatriot Ainaa Amani 11-6, 13-11, 11-7 in just 24 minutes.
The three-time national champion, 21, will take on world No. 3 Amina Orfi of Egypt in the next round.
World No. 32 Aifa Azman joined her sister in the second round with an impressive 11-9, 11-2, 11-7 win over Ireland’s world No. 68 Hannah Craig.
Aifa will meet seventh seed Salma Hany of Egypt for a place in the last eight.
In the men’s competition, world No. 11 Ng Eain Yow, who received a first-round bye, will open his campaign against world No. 13 Mohamad Zakaria.
Zakaria, 18, and a two-time world junior champion, defeated Hong Kong’s Henry Leung 11-3, 11-2, 11-7 in the opening round.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
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