Latest news with #AsianSquashChampionships
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Asia champ Alex Lau targets world rankings rise after 2-year top 40 breakthrough
New Asia squash champion Alex Lau Tsz-kwan said on Friday that he had his eyes on entering the world top 30, after finally breaking through a two-year 'bottleneck' at No 40. The Hongkonger has reached a career high on the rankings list after winning gold in Malaysia at the Asian Squash Championships last week, where he beat Qatar's Abdulla Al-Tamimi 3-0 in the final. And after training overseas, which he called 'finding the right direction for me', the 29-year-old said he expected to focus on competing in more World Series tournaments so he could chase ranking points. 'No 40 was like a bottleneck for me for almost two years, so reaching the 30s for the first time meant a lot to me,' Lau, who is now ranked 39th, said. 'Your ranking tells your consistency throughout the season; I felt I could reach a higher spot but got stuck instead. Other players might be able to play their strongest game whoever they play, but my game might work only on specific players.' Alex Lau (left) and Tomato Ho won their maiden regional individual titles at the Asian Squash Championships in Malaysia last week. Photo: Handout Setbacks in New Zealand and Australia, even with favourable draws, were offset by better results in China, England, Singapore and Switzerland.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Double heartbreak for Malaysia as India sweep squash finals
KUALA LUMPUR: It was a disappointing end for Malaysia at the Asian Squash Championships, as the national team settled for two silver medals in Kuching on Thursday. In the women's doubles final, top seeds Ainaa Amani-Yee Xin Ying were edged in a tense battle, falling 8-11, 11-9, 11-10 to India's second seeds Joshna Chinappa-Anahat Singh after 36 minutes. Malaysia's hopes in the mixed doubles also ended in defeat as third seeds C. Ameeshenraj-Rachel Arnold were beaten 11-9, 11-7 by India's Abhay Singh and Anahat in just 28 minutes. India completed a clean sweep in the doubles events by claiming the men's title as well, with Abhay-Velavan Senthilkumar overcoming Pakistan's Nasir Iqbal-Noor Zaman 9-11, 11-5, 11-5. Despite missing out on gold, national coach Ajaz Azmat remained upbeat. "The doubles events were part of our preparation for the individual competitions," he said.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Ameeshenraj-Rachel, Ainaa-Xin Ying in Asian Squash finals
KUALA LUMPUR: Two Malaysian pairs will fight for titles at the Asian Squash Championships in Kuching on Thursday. Third seeds C. Ameeshenraj-Rachel Arnold stunned India's second seeds Velavan Senthilkumar-Joshna Chinappa 8-11, 11-7, 11-9 in 37 minutes to reach the mixed doubles final at the Sarawak Squash Centre. They will face India's top seeds Abhay Singh-Anahat Singh, who edged Malaysia's Syafiq Kamal-Ainaa Amani 11-8, 10-11, 11-5 in the other semi-final. Top seeds Ainaa Amani-Yee Xin Ying also booked their place in the women's doubles final with a dominant 11-2, 11-5 win over Hong Kong's third seeds Ho Tze Lok-Fung Ching Hei. The Malaysians will meet second seeds Anahat-Joshna Chinappa, who cruised past Hong Kong's Wong Po Yui-Toby Tse 11-7, 11-6 in their semi-final. Xin Ying, who is based in the United States at Cornell University, credited good communication with Ainaa as the key to their success. "As top seeds, there's always pressure in every match," said Xin Ying. "But we stick to our game plan and try to minimise errors heading into the final." Malaysia had to settle for bronze in the men's doubles. Duncan Lee-Syafiq Kamal, the third seeds, fought hard before going down 10-11, 11-9, 11-9 to Pakistan's second seeds Noor Zaman-Nasir Iqbal in a tough 69-minute semi-final. The Pakistanis will face India's top seeds Abhay-Velavan, who beat Hong Kong's Wong Chi Him-Tang Ming Hong 11-6, 11-9 in the other semi-final. National coach Ajaz Azmat praised the effort shown by Duncan-Syafiq. "They gave everything and were unlucky not to make the final," said Ajaz. "Still, we're proud of their performance and hope the other pairs can go all the way."
New Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Rachel couldn't take the heat in Kuching
KUALA LUMPUR: Rachel Arnold has ended up as the bridesmaid again in the Asian Squash Championships. The Malaysian went down 11-4, 12-10, 11-4, 11-0 to Hong Kong's world No. 29 Ho Tze Lok in the women's final today at the Sarawak Squash Centre in Kuching. The setback came as a surprise as the 29-year-old Rachel had not dropped a set in the tournament until the semi-finals on Friday where she beat compatriot Aifa Azman 11-9, 11-2, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10. Rachel, who finished runner-up in the 2021 edition in Pakistan, said the hot weather was a factor for her defeat, and Tze Lok played well. "A bit disappointed in the final today, I didn't really adapt to the court, it was really hot and I struggled. She played really well today, putting me under a lot of pressure," said Rachel. "I think I made too many errors, that was the main thing. Every time she put me under pressure, I sort of went for it, maybe I should have stayed calm. "I struggled with the weather, it was really hot... I couldn't end the rallies in the way I usually do," said Rachel whose next event will be the National Championship in Kuala Lumpur in August. In the men's final, second seed Lau Tsz Kwan completed a double for Hong Kong after stunning Abdulla Al Tamini of Qatar 14-12 13-11 11-9.
News18
20-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
Asian Squash Championships: Velavan Senthilkumar Bags Bronze In Malaysia
Last Updated: The southpaw went down to second seed Alex Lau Tsz Kwan of Hong Kong 1-3 (9-11, 11-13, 11-5, 6-11) in a 65-minute encounter in the men's singles semifinal to pick up a bronze. Indian squash player Velavan Senthilkumar picked up a bronze medal at the Asian Squash Championships in Malaysia on Friday. The southpaw went down to second seed Alex Lau Tsz Kwan of Hong Kong 1-3 (9-11, 11-13, 11-5, 6-11) in a 65-minute encounter in the men's singles semifinal. Both the losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze at the continental showpiece. This was Senthilkumar's second consecutive medal at the continental event, having won a silver in the 2023 edition. With his loss, India's campaign in singles came to an end. India's teenage sensation Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh will compete in the doubles contest scheduled to begin next week. (With Inputs From PTI)
