Saturday October 27, 2012
Wee Wern to miss mom’s birthday do after reaching semis in China
By KNG ZHENG GUAN
All eyes: Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern (left) returning a shot to Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy in the China Open in Shanghai yesterday. — CHOW HOW BAN/The Star PETALING JAYA: Defending champion Low Wee Wern staved off a strong challenge from Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy before sealing a semi-final spot in the US$55,000 China Open squash tournament in Shanghai yesterday.
The 22-year-old Wee Wern, who had beaten Australia’s Rachael Grinham for the first time on Thursday, was made to slog hard before posting a 8-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9 win over the former world No. 4.
It was her first win over Omneya and a bittersweet one as the Penangite will have to miss her mother’s 55th birthday do today.
The match, as expected, was going to be a tight affair as Omneya has been making an impact since returning from injury and it was evident as she made the final in the Macau Open last week.
Omnneya duly took the first set before Wee Wern roared back to level the tie.
The powerful Egyptian once again took the advantage in the third set but Wee Wern showed just why she is ranked No. 9 in the world with a strong fighting performance to take the fourth set and the decider to go through.
“Well I did not expect to do so well here and was actually supposed to fly back tomorrow (today) for my mom’s birthday so this win is for her,” said Wee Wern, when contacted in Shanghai.
“But I’m really happy to pull through because it was such a close match and it could have gone either way. Omneya is a good player with exceptional racquet skills so to beat is a confidence booster. I’m just happy with the way I’m playing.”
The national No. 2 will now face fourth seed Kasey Brown in the semi-finals. Australia’s Brown had no problems sweeping aside Irishwoman Aisling Blake in straight sets.
“I’ve played Kasey three times in the past but I’ve never gotten around to beating her,” said Wee Wern.
“She has been playing well in this tournament and she had a slightly easier time on court against Aisling so I supposed the advantage is with her.
“Most importantly, I’m just trying to take good care of my shoulder as I don’t want the injury to get worse. I’m putting ice on it after every match,” added Wee Wern.
The other semi-final is between Joelle King of New Zealand and England’s Alison Waters.
King defeated Hong Kong’s Annie Au while Waters took out Egyptian world No. 3 Raneem El Weleily to reach the last four.
Quarter-finals: Low Wee Wern (Mas) bt Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egy) 8-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9; Kasey Brown (Aus) bt Aisling Blake (Irl) 11-9, 11-7,11-5; Joelle King (Nzl) bt Annie Au (Hkg) 11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9; Alison Waters (Eng) bt Raneem El Weleily (Egy) 7-11, 11-4, 11-1, 8-11, 13-11.
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