KUALA LUMPUR: Teenage squash star Aira Azman is on the verge of a sensational breakthrough after powering into the final of the World Junior Championships in Melbourne.
The 18-year-old was cool as steel as she romped to an impressive 12-10, 11-7, 11-8 win over second seed Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday.
Having reached the semi-finals without dropping a single game, the Kedah-born was brimming with confidence.
But against rival Fayrouz, it was never going to be a walk in the park compared with her previous matches.
Aira and Fayrouz had shared the spoils the last time they met, each winning a match during the World Cup in India in June.
But this time, the world No. 60 Malaysian was determined to prove her superiority, and she enjoyed a strong start after taking the crucial points for the first game, 12-10.
Fayrouz kept the scoreline close but there was no stopping Aira as she kept her cool to seal victory in straight games yet again.
It is a huge victory for Aira, who achieved what her more illustrious older sister, world No. 29 Aifa, did not do in the past.
It is also a historic moment as she becomes the first Malaysian girl to reach the world juniors final since eight-time world champion Nicol David's double feat in 1999 and 2001.
She is only the second Malaysian in the last 20 years to reach the final, the other being men's national No. 1 Ng Eain Yow, who was crowned world junior champion in 2016.
She will face Egypt's defending champion Amina Orfi in the final on Sunday.
Amina, the 16-year-old prodigy ranked No. 43 in the world, dropped a game but was too strong for compatriot Malak Khafagy in an 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3 win.
"It wasn't easy, but the game plan that I had with coach Andrew (Cross) came through," said Aira.
"I was just focused on doing my best. However, I still have another tough match tomorrow.
"But it definitely means a lot to me to reach the final because I've been competing in the world juniors since 2018, and this is now my last year," added Aira.
National coach Cross, who oversaw the rise of Eain Yow and Aifa, was pleased with Aira's performance.
"She was actually really good today. The game plan was good, and she stuck to it and executed well," said Cross.
"She is definitely in a good place mentally. Amina will be another tough opponent, although the last time they played, she lost in a tight 3-0 contest."
