There is a sense of anticipation at the Ohana National Squash Championships which start today at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.
After seeing no competitive action for six months due to the Covid-19 situation, players are eager to restart their campaign on a high.
Women's national No 1 Low Wee Wern and No 2 S. Sivasangari could lock horns for the first time in two years at the meet.
In 2018, Sivasangari, then 19, claimed an impressive win over Wee Wern in the women's final of the national meet to become the youngest ever champion.
Wee Wern, however, returned the favour when she emerged victorious in the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open that year and the pair have not met on court since.
Both Wee Wern and Sivasangari, however, acknowledged that this year's competition will be challenging, especially with the Covid-19 risk still at large.
"Of course, there is still the risk of Covid-19, but we can only be as careful as we can," said the 30-year-old Wee Wern, who is targeting her fourth national title.
"I am motivated to get this underway. It is good to be able to get back on the court, and I'm sure everyone is eager to play as well.
"As the defending champion, the challenge is certainly tougher for me as Bukit Jalil is the home for everyone else.
"There's no pressure on them, and I'm sure they are all fired up to give me a good run.
Sivasangari, who postponed her return to the United States, is also hungry to make amends after only making the semi-finals last year.
"It is good to finally get a competition and to see what's my standard now and how well I can do," she said.
"It is going to be close as Wee Wern and Rachel (Arnold) are all in, and everybody wants to win it.
Top seed Wee Wern, who received a first-round bye, plays Ooi Kah Yan or Angie Ooi in the second round while second seed Sivasangari will open against national junior U. Thanusaa.
In the men's competition, Ivan Yuen is the top seed, followed by Syafiq Kamal with Addeen Idrakie and Darren Rahul Pragasam joint third-fourth seeds.