KUALA LUMPUR: Asian champion S. Sivasangari made short work of compatriot Aifa Azman to book her place in the second round of the US Open in Philadelphia on Sunday.
World No. 4 Sivasangari needed just 22 minutes to beat the world No. 21 11-2, 11-4, 11-6.
It was Sivasangari’s eighth victory over Aifa.
The fifth seed, who won the Silicon Valley Open last month, will face Egypt’s world No. 25 Kenzy Ayman in the second round later today.
Ayman, meanwhile, overcame American Alex Jaffe 12-10, 12-10, 6-11, 9-11, 11-6.
Sivasangari, 27, has beaten Ayman four times.
World No. 22 Rachel Arnold, however, fell to Egypt’s world No. 1 Amina Orfi 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 in 29 minutes.
In the men’s competition, Asian champion Ng Eain Yow also reached the second round after defeating Spain’s world No. 37 Bernat Jaume 13-11, 11-4, 11-3 in 41 minutes.
The world No. 17 Malaysian will face Peru’s world No. 3 Diego Elias for a place in the quarter-finals later today.
Eain Yow faces a tough challenge against Elias, whom he has never beaten on the PSA Tour.
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia coaching director Andrew Cross said it was a good start for both Sivasangari and Eain Yow.
“Sivasangari continued her fine form while Eain Yow looked solid against his Spanish opponent,” said Cross.