KUALA LUMPUR: Joachim Chuah and C. Ameeshenraj kept Malaysia's challenge going by checking into the fourth round of the World Juniors Squash Championships in Nancy, France, today.
Joint fifth-eighth seed Joachim was in fiery form as he trounced New Zealand's Joe Smythe 11-7, 11-2, 11-2 in the third round.
The KL boy, who is making his world juniors debut, goes on to meet England's Sam Osborne-Wylde for a place in the quarter-finals. Osborne-Wylde got past Canada's Karim Michael 11-2, 12-10, 11-8 in the third round.
Joint ninth-16th seed Ameeshenraj was briefly troubled but had enough firepower to overcome Pakistan's Ashab Irfan 11-9, 11-9, 11-6.
The Bristol-based Ameeshenraj, however, faces an uphill task in the fourth round as he goes up against top seed and hot favourite Hamza Khan of Pakistan next.
In the girls' competition, Malaysia's Aira Azman, K. Sehveetrraa and Yee Xin Ying reached the fourth round.
The in-form Aira, who is a serious contender for the title, eased past American Khushi Kukadia 11-7, 11-8, 11-8.
The joint third-fourth seed will take on Sehveetrraa, who blew away India's Yuvna Gupta 11-4, 11-4, 11-8, in an all-Malaysian fourth round clash.
Joint ninth-16th seed Xin Ying also had an easy day as she swept aside Sweden's Moa Bonnemark 11-5, 11-8, 11-7. The left-handed Sabahan is up against England's joint fifth-eighth seed Sarah Nghiem in the fourth round.
"So far it's been a decent progress with our top players all through to the fourth round although improvements still need to be made," said national assistant head coach Andrew Cross.
"There will be tougher matches in the fourth round but there is always the potential for an upset."
