KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan chalked up the biggest win of his career when he stunned his compatriot and world No. 10 Mohd Azlan Iskandar to reach the quarter-finals of the CIMB Nicol David Kuala Lumpur Open at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The Kuala Terengganu-born Nafiizwan, ranked 34th in the world, bounced back from a set down to prevail 8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3, 11-2 in the first-round match which lasted 66 minutes. It was his first victory over second seed Azlan in a Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournament.
National No. 3 Nafiizwan, who won the Hibiscus Garden Open in Brisbane last month, takes on another countryman, Ong Beng Hee, for a place in the semi-finals.
Today’s quarter-final matches will be held in the glass court at the concourse area of the Berjaya Times Square from 2pm.
While Nafiizwan dug deep into his reserves to edge Azlan, world No. 23 Beng Hee hardly raised a sweat against qualifier Matthew Karwalski. The Australian retired after losing the first set 8-11, due to a hamstring injury.
Nafiizwan, also the Asian champion, said he was thrilled to beat Azlan for the first time since turning pro in 2005.
“I won because I’ve improved under coach Peter (Genever). I was hitting the ball well while Azlan struggled because he had just recovered from a thigh injury,” said Nafiizwan, who turns 26 on April 24.
“This win has boosted my confidence to try and create another upset against Beng Hee.
“I beat him to win my first Asian title in Penang last April. However, Beng Hee avenged that loss by beating me in the semi-finals of the National Closed last July.” The 32-year-old Beng Hee, who won the Motor City Open in Detroit in January, said he was glad to face Nafiizwan rather than Azlan in the last eight.
“It’s always tough playing Azlan as I have already lost to him three times last year,” said Beng Hee, who won the CIMB KL Open in 2008.
THE STAR
The Kuala Terengganu-born Nafiizwan, ranked 34th in the world, bounced back from a set down to prevail 8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3, 11-2 in the first-round match which lasted 66 minutes. It was his first victory over second seed Azlan in a Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournament.
National No. 3 Nafiizwan, who won the Hibiscus Garden Open in Brisbane last month, takes on another countryman, Ong Beng Hee, for a place in the semi-finals.
Today’s quarter-final matches will be held in the glass court at the concourse area of the Berjaya Times Square from 2pm.
While Nafiizwan dug deep into his reserves to edge Azlan, world No. 23 Beng Hee hardly raised a sweat against qualifier Matthew Karwalski. The Australian retired after losing the first set 8-11, due to a hamstring injury.
Nafiizwan, also the Asian champion, said he was thrilled to beat Azlan for the first time since turning pro in 2005.
“I won because I’ve improved under coach Peter (Genever). I was hitting the ball well while Azlan struggled because he had just recovered from a thigh injury,” said Nafiizwan, who turns 26 on April 24.
“This win has boosted my confidence to try and create another upset against Beng Hee.
“I beat him to win my first Asian title in Penang last April. However, Beng Hee avenged that loss by beating me in the semi-finals of the National Closed last July.” The 32-year-old Beng Hee, who won the Motor City Open in Detroit in January, said he was glad to face Nafiizwan rather than Azlan in the last eight.
“It’s always tough playing Azlan as I have already lost to him three times last year,” said Beng Hee, who won the CIMB KL Open in 2008.
THE STAR
Comments
Post a Comment