KUALA LUMPUR: Five Malaysians reached the second round of the Hong Kong Squash PSA Challenge Cup (second leg) today.
Goh Zhi Xuan, 18, defeated Hong Konger Kwong Ena 11-4, 11-9, 7-11, 13-11 in the women's event, and will face Egypt's sixth seed Habiba Hani for a place in the quarter-finals.
World No. 160 Zhi Xuan, who has never played Habiba before, said: "Habiba was named PSA Player of the Month (for December). She's fast on the court."
Zhi Xuan reached the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Challenge Cup (1st leg) three weeks ago.
However, U. Thanusaa lost 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 5-11 to Japan's Akari Midorikawa in the first round.
In men's competition, Hafiz Zhafri will play Hong Kong's seventh seed Ka Hei Ho in the second round after overcoming Japan's Naoki Hayashi 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-7.
Duncan Lee has the unenviable task of meeting Egypt's top seed Yassin Elshafei in the second round after beating Hong Kong's Wailok To 13-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6.
Bryan Tze stopped South Korea's Ryu Jeong Min 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 and will face Hong Kong's fifth seed Matthew Lai next.
Ong Sai Hung downed homester Rain Wong 11-5, 11-8, 12-10 and will face Hong Kong's sixth seed Wong Chi Him next.