KUALA LUMPUR: Will it be an eye for an eye in a case of sisterly revenge at squash's British Open in Birmingham?
National champion Aira Azman was on the verge of beating Fayrouz Aboelkheir yesterday until the Egyptian's racquet hit the Malaysian's eye.
In the first round match, Aira lost the first set 8-11 but won the second 11-8 and was well ahead at 8-3 in the third when Aboelkheir's racquet hit Aira's left eye. Aira was affected by the incident and lost the third set 11-13. The Egyptian, sensing blood, then pounded her way to a 11-5 win in the last set.
National chief coach Ajaz Azmat said Aira received treatment to her eye for 15 minutes before the match resumed. "Luckily nothing happened to Aira's eye, but she lost her rhythm and lost the final set. If not for the eye injury, Aira could have won the match."
"Aira gave everything but lost to Aboelkheir who is a very aggressive player on court."
Now, Aifa, the elder sister of 19-year-old Aira, will eye revenge against world No. 16 Aboelkheir whom she will meet in the second round. World No. 37 Aifa beat England's Torrie Malik 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6 in her opening match.
Ajaz said Aifa has to be very careful against Aboelkheir as the Egyptian is aggressive, and the Malaysian needs to watch out for her racquet swing.
Rachel Arnold also reached the second round with a 11-7, 4-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7 win over Hong Kong's Tsz Wing Tong. But the national No. 2 will face a tough encounter against Nour El Tayeb next as the Egyptian had defeated Rachel in the Malaysia Cup final in Seremban last November.
