KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the cold conditions at the courts, the Malaysian men's and women's teams got off to a flying start in the squash competition in the Hangzhou Asian Games today.
The men's team, led by Asian champion Ng Eain Yow, outplayed the Philippines and South Korea with an identical score of 3-0 in Group B.
In the women's competition, the Malaysia team, led by S. Sivansangari, outplayed Nepal and Pakistan by the same score of 3-0 in Group B.
Order of play was 3-1-2, and Syafiq Kamal defeated Filipino Reymark Bergonia 11-7, 11-6, 11-6, and Eain Yow secured the winning point with a 11-3, 11-7, 11-4 triumph over Robert Andrew Garcia.
Addeen Idrakie brushed off David William Pelino 11-5, 11-2, 11-4 to deliver the third point.
Later in the day, Addeen gave the first point against South Korea with an 11-11-8, 11-6, 11-7 win over Lee Dongjun.
World No. 18 Eain Yow defeated Yoo Jaejin 11-7, 11-4, 11-9 to deliver the winning point.
But 33-year-old Ivan Yuen, competing in his fourth consecutive Asian Games, had to ward off a strong challenge by coming back from a set down to beat Lee Minwoo 12-14, 11-7, 11-6, 14-12.
Debutants Aira Azman beat Swasthani Shrestha of Nepal 11-3, 11-1, 11-6 while elder sister Aifa Azman defeated Bipana Blon 11-2, 11-5, 11-6 to secure the winning point.
Rachel Arnold made it 3-0 with a 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 win over Krishna Thapa.
Aira beat Pakistani Mehwish Ali 11-5, 11-6, 11-3, and Sivasangari downed Sadiq Noor UL Huda 11-2, 11-6, 11-5. Rachel wrapped up the tie with an 11-0, 11-3, 11-3 win over Ijaz Noor Ul Ain.
Team manager Nafzahizam Adnan said overall it was a good start for both the men's and women's teams.
"The Koreans gave a strong challenge to our players, but they did well to win 3-0."
Results
Men:
Group A: India 3 Singapore 0, Kuwait 3 Nepal 0, Pakistan 2 Qatar 1, Pakistan 3 Nepal 0, India 3 Qatar 0, Kuwait 2 Singapore 1.
Group B: Hong Kong 3 S. Korea 0, Malaysia 3 Philippines 0, Japan 3 Thailand 0, Hong Kong 3 Thailand 0, Japan 3 Philippines 0, Malaysia 3 S. Korea 0.
Women:
Group A: Japan 3 Thailand 0, Hong Kong 3 Mongolia 0, Hong Kong 3 Thailand 0, S. Korea 3 Mongolia 0,
Group B: India 3 Pakistan 0, Malaysia 3 Nepal 0, Macau 3 Nepal 0, Malaysia 3 Pakistan 0.