KUALA LUMPUR: After enduring a difficult start to the season, squash player Aira Azman is eager to impress at the World Championships in Cairo from May 9-18.
The 19-year-old overcame body and knee injuries to reach the third round of last week's El Gouna Championships in Egypt.
Ranked world No. 44, Aira upset World No. 30 Hana Ramadan of Egypt and No. 32 Georgia Adderley of Scotland in the opening two rounds before narrowly losing to No. 6 Georgina Kennedy of England in the third round.
Currently, Aira is training at Jalan Duta Courts to prepare for the World Championships.
"I'm recovering and strengthening my body. These are not serious injuries, and I should recover in time for the World Championships.
"The schedule at El Gouna was hectic, and I didn't have enough rest between matches. However, I am confident of a pain-free outing in Cairo."
It will be Aira's second appearance at the World Championships. Last year in Chicago, she lost in five games to France's Melissa Alves in the first round.
In Cairo, she will face Egypt's World No. 20, Fayrouz Aboelkheir, in the first round.
"I believe I have a 50-50 chance against Fayrouz," she added, noting that she defeated the Egyptian in their last encounter at the Hong Kong Open in December.
