KUALA LUMPUR – World number 79 Chan Yi Wen is happy with her win against Akari Midorikawa from Japan in the first round of the Asian World Championships qualifiers held at the National Sports Complex squash court, Jalan Duta today.
Having said that, the Malaysian admits that she needs to improve after letting her opponent come back into the game in the second set.
Yi Wen won the first comfortably 11-6 but her 18-year-old opponent came storming back in the second winning 11-3.
However, the 24-year-old Yi Wen won the next two sets to seal the match 11-6, 3-11, 11-1, 11-5 in 32 minutes.
“It started scrappy, I was trying to get a feel (for the game). But overall I’m still glad to get a win.
“There are a few things I need to be aware of… oday’s performance is not the best but it is like a wake-up call for me.
“Especially in the second…I won the first comfortably but she came out strong in the second. I had to figure my way out to get back the confidence to win the match,” said Alor Setar, born Yi Wen.
She will play the tournament fifth seed Ching Hei-fung from Hong Kong in the quarterfinals tomorrow.
Hei-fung defeated another Japanese player Sugimoto Risa 13-11, 11-3, 11-6 in 27 minutes.
“I have never played against Hei-fung but I will study her match tonight and prepare the best I can.
“I know I need to play with confidence against her if I want to win,” added Yi Wen. – April 18, 2024