KUALA LUMPUR: Asian champions Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari will carry the nation's challenge in the British Open each hoping to become the first Malaysian winner since Nicol David's triumph in 2014.
The British Open, which starts tomorrow, is the oldest squash tournament in the world and the second most prestigious after the World Championships, and many players dream of lifting the trophy.
World No. 10 Sivasangari showed her pedigree in April when she defeated several top players, including world No. 1 Nour El Sherbini and No. 2 Hania El Hammay of Egypt, to win at the London Classic.
The 25-year-old hopes to go beyond the second round for the first time in her career.
Sivasangari, who received a bye in the first round, however, faces a huge stumbling block in the second round as she is drawn to take on defending champion Nour.
However, if Sivasangari can repeat her London Classic performance, the Malaysian will definitely have a chance to topple Nour again and reach the third round for the first time in Birmingham.
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) Major (rtd) S. Maniam said Sivasangari is in good shape after sparring with the national men's team in KL recently.
"She believes she can beat any top player, and I am confident she will do well at the British Open.
"She always gives her 100 per cent during matches," said Maniam.
Sivasangari will be mentally tuned up for the tournament by Jesse Engelbrecht.
South African Engelbrecht, 41, helped Sivasangari to win the London Classic.
Meanwhile, world No. 15 Eain Yow, 26, who received a bye in the first round, will face Egypt's No. 13 Aly Abou Eleinen in the men's second round.
Maniam said Eain Yow has a fair chance of reaching the third round.
The 26-year-old took on Eleinen twice last year, with the Malaysian recording one win and one defeat.
Eain Yow is enjoying a good run, with winning the German Open being his best achievement this year.
Last month, he finished runner-up at the QSF 3 Open in Doha.
The other Malaysians in the women's draw are Rachel Arnold and the Aira sisters, Aira and Aifa, in Birmingham.
Rachel will start her campaign tomorrow against Hong Kong's Tsz Wing Tong in the first round.
Aira faces Egypt's Fayrouz Aboelkheir, while Aifa plays England's Torrie Malik tomorrow.