KUALA LUMPUR: Rising squash star Aira Azman rose to the occasion sensationally as she charged into the final of the Irish Open in Dublin.
The 18-year-old could not ask for a better way to celebrate Hari Raya as she defied the odds to beat third seed Alexandra Fuller of South Africa 11-5, 9-11, 1-11, 14-12, 11-6 in the semi-finals on Friday.
It was double joy for Malaysia as Ng Eain Yow reached the men's final.
World No 62 Aira, who also came from two games down to beat Egyptian Zeina Zein in the quarter-finals, had taken the early advantage in an action-packed encounter.
World No 30 Fuller, however, banked on her experience as she fought back to take a 2-1 lead.
The South African looked to have sealed the deal as she held three matchball opportunities in the fourth game.
Aira, however, showed great desire to win as she fought back before converting her chances to force a deciding rubber.
And it was one-way traffic from there as Aira played with excellent shot placements to take the win after 52 minutes.
It's a remarkable achievement for Kedahan, who sealed her maiden ticket to the World Championships last week.
Reaching the final of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger 20 event is also her biggest final to date.
Aira, who has two PSA titles to her name already, will certainly be gunning for a third when she takes on top seed Jasmine Hutton of England in the final later today.
World No 28 Hutton came through by beating Egyptian teenager Fayrouz Aboelkheir 11-8, 11-7, 11-6.
"I thought Aira played really well. There was no pressure on her, so she was able to keep things free flowing," said national assistant head coach Andrew Cross.
"She did have chances to win the second game, but she couldn't really convert.
"But she did really well to save matchballs in the fourth, and it was all her in the fifth as she put the ball in good areas.
"It's really a good win for her, and it's even better since it's the first day of Hari Raya now."
It would be a double delight for the Malaysian camp after men's national No 1 Eain Yow also checked into the final.
The world No 21 played a solid and patient game as he overcame Shahjahan Khan of the United States 11-2, 11-4, 11-5.
"The scoreline would have suggested a one-sided match, but the rallies were long and competitive," said Cross.
"I think the difference was that he was solid throughout and did not give Shahjahan any confidence during the match.
"Overall, his game plan was good, but he will have a tougher challenge in the final," added Cross.
Eain Yow, who will make his first final appearance since winning the Cleveland Skating Club Open in October last year, meets world No 30 Aly About Eleinen of Egypt in the final.
The Egyptian defeated compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar 11-9, 11-7, 2-11, 4-11, 11-7 in the other semi-final.
