KUALA LUMPUR: London Classic champion S. Sivasangari warmed-up with an effortless opening round win at the World Championships, but she fears the slippery courts at the venue in Cairo could derail her chances of doing well.
Despite her cautious approach, the world No. 13 Malaysian managed to secure a comfortable victory against Latvian Ineta Hopton on Friday, winning 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 in just 19 minutes at the Palm Hill Club.
Sivasangari, the Hangzhou Asian Games champion, will face world No. 59 Caroline Fouts for a spot in the third round tomorrow.
Sivasangari said: "I don't think I found my corners as well as I would have liked, and I wasn't moving as well as I wanted.
"I also had a fear of slipping because I did when I trained on one of the courts the other day. The court today (Friday) was much better, but I was still cautious.
"I am glad to make it through the first round as opening matches are always tough. It is a good warm-up, really happy to get through."
Sivasangari added: "I'm taking one match at a time. It's the world's championships, and everybody is very good.
"I won the first match, now I'm going to focus on the second round and will try to play better than today. I will focus more on my game rather than on my opponent."
Meanwhile, compatriot Aira Azman will be seeking revenge against world No. 6 Georgina Kennedy of England, who defeated Rachel Arnold 11-3, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5, in the second round after downing Lowri Roberts of Wales 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 14-12 on Friday.
Last month at El Gourna Open in Egypt, world No. 40 Aira scored stunning wins over No. 30 Hana Ramadan of Egypt and No. 32 Georgia Adderley of Scotland in the opening two rounds before losing to Kennedy in straight games.
National coach Ajaz Azmat believes Aira will record a first-career win over Kennedy tomorrow.
"Aira is playing well and has a good chance of reaching the third round in Cairo," he said.
In the men's competition, Asian champion Ng Eain Yow got off to a great start by overcoming world No. 18 Baptiste Masotti of France 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 in 40 minutes.
He will take on Ryunosuke Tsukue for a place in the third round tomorrow.
It will be Eain Yow's first meeting against the world No. 58 Japanese star.
Eain Yow, 26, who won the German Open last month, said: "I was a bit more positive against Masotti today. I took my chances and made my opponent work hard rather than being too passive.
I am in a good place and feeling positive ahead of my second-round match."