KUALA LUMPUR: Squash player Aifa Azman is eager to get off to a good start this year.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a fairly decent season last year although her performances did take a slight dip towards December.
Having dropped down to No 30 in the world from a career high of No 21, Aifa barely took time out after the Women's World Team Championships last month as she looked to get herself back on track on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour.
And the Kedahan is ready to put herself to the test at the Carol Weymuller Open, which will be held at the Heights Casino in Brooklyn, New York, on Jan 11-15.
"I think last season wasn't really a bad year for me even though I did not win any PSA titles," said Aifa.
"I do think I finished pretty strong as my performances during the World Team Championships, where we finished joint third, were quite good.
"To begin with, I did achieve my target of breaking into the world's top-30 although my rankings have dropped quite a bit since then.
"But I am positive that I can reach another milestone ranking this year, hopefully by breaking into the top-20. I've been working hard for it.
"I didn't take any time out for the New Year holidays as my focus is on three upcoming tournaments here in the US.
"The draw at the Carol Weymuller meet is not too bad so hopefully I'll secure some positive results and start the year strongly," added Aifa.
Aifa will play Germany's Saskia Beinhard in the first round at the Carol Weymuller Open.
She is expected to win and progress to meet world No 29 and eighth-seed Lucy Turmel of England in the second round with a potential meeting with top-seed and home favourite Olivia Fiechter in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile Aifa's younger sister Aira, will be looking to bounce back from a smarting defeat in the semi-finals of the British Junior Open last week when she competes at the KCC Challenge Cup in Hong Kong from Jan 16-20.
World No 71 Aira is the top seed and receives a first round bye. The other Malaysian women in the competition are Ooi Kah Yan and Wong Heng Wai.
In the men's competition, the Malaysian challenge will be carried by Wee Ming Hock and Andrik Lim.