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Aifa, Ivan take top honours at SRAM PSA 1 event

Aifa Azman kept up her impeccable record on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour by winning the SRAM PSA 1 event for her eighth career title.

The World No 64 was right on top of her game as she defeated surprise finalist Ooi Kah Yan 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 in the final at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The 19-year-old, fresh from beating second seed Rachel Arnold, had gotten into a tough spot early as Kah Yan, who had defeated top seed Low Wee Wern, started the game confidently.

But the national No 4 took her chances when it came to nick the first game, and there was no looking back from there as she sealed the win in 22 minutes.

It is an impressive finish for the Kedah-born, who maintained her 100 per cent record in a PSA final,

The PSA Challenger 10 title is also Aifa's biggest career title, and she was pleased with her progress.

"I'm definitely happy to win this title, and it's good progress since I've won PSA 5 events before," said Aifa.

"It started a bit tough as the first game was quite tight, and I had to focus on my game plan.

"But I came through to win, and it's proof that my hard work is paying off. I want to go on and win bigger tournaments when I get the opportunity."

In the men's final, top seed Ivan Yuen defeated a spirited challenge from second seed Syafiq Kamal to clinch a 16-14, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5 win.

The four-time national champion had to dig deep as he saved several game ball opportunities before taking the first game 16-14 after 24 minutes.

Syafiq fought back to take the second game 11-9.

But that effort took a lot out of him, and it was the more experienced Ivan who pounced to finish strongly in 40 minutes.

It was Ivan's 12th PSA title and his first since the CNS International in Pakistan in February last year.

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