KUALA LUMPUR: Aira Azman tried to end Malaysia's wait for a first World Junior Championships title in seven years but just couldn't find a way past Egyptian Amina Orfi today in Melbourne.
Defending champion Amina, 16, was simply unplayable as she romped to an 11-8, 11-5, 11-1 win in the final.
Joint third-seed Aira, who had played superbly to reach the final, had a lot on her hands trying to fend off Amina's unrelenting attack.
World No 60 Aira did well to keep pace in the first two games against the 43rd-ranked Amina.
But the Egyptian upped the tempo in the third game, and Aira had no answers, succumbing after 31 minutes.
Aira, who had hoped to win Malaysia's first world junior title since Ng Eain Yow's success in 2016m, said: "I'm definitely a little disappointed with losing but I hope that it will only get better from here on."
The 18-year-old Kedahan can however hold her head high as reaching the final is already a remarkable feat.
In doing so, she became only the second Malaysian girl to reach the final since eight-time world champion Nicol David in 1999 and 2001.
"It was a very tough match today and Amina was incredibly solid," admitted Aira.
National coach Andrew Cross said: "I think it has, no doubt, been an excellent week for her as she has beaten players above her in the world rankings.
"Of course she came up against a really good player today, but she's moving in the right direction as she looks to transition more onto the Professional Squash Association."
Aira will team up with K. Sehveetrraa, U. Thanussa and Whitney Isabelle Wilson for the team event in Melbourne.
Malaysia, who finished runners-up in the last two editions, will have to overcome challenges from powerful nations such as England and the United States.
