KUALA LUMPUR: Asian champions Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari cruised into the third round of their respective men's and women's events at the season-opening Egyptian Open in Giza City yesterday.
World No. 9 Sivasangari overcame a one-game deficit to defeat veteran Joelle King of New Zealand 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10 in 40 minutes in the second round.
The London Classic champion, who received a bye in the first round, will face world No. 17 Nada Abbas of Egypt for a place in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
Meanwhile, world No. 13 Eain Yow, also receiving a bye in the first round, dispatched No. 25 Iker Pajares of Spain 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 in 49 minutes.
Sivasangari said: "It feels good to play and win my first match.
"It was a tough and very physical opening match. Joelle is an experienced player, so it was great to finish it in four games for my first career win over the Kiwi.
"This win will help me get into the rhythm for another tough season. "However, my goal is to play consistently against top players.
"A good opening win, but I expect more from myself," Sivasangari told World Tour Squash.
She added that her focus for the new season is maintaining consistency.
Meanwhile, Eain Yow, who won the German Open in April, will face world No. 2 Paul Coll in the third round on Tuesday.
Kiwi Coll, a two-time British Open winner, defeated Eain Yow in their last three encounters.
Eain Yow said: "It's definitely a better start compared to last season when I lost my matches in the opening three tournaments.
"I want to continue my momentum and climb up the rankings.
"There's a little less pressure on me overall. Last season, I had the Asian Games, and I was trying to get myself into a good position.
"But I know what I'm capable of, and I'm a little more mature.
"Although I'm 26 and still learning, I have put in some good work, and I believe in myself, and it's all coming together."
Meanwhile, world No. 24 Rachel Arnold's hopes of reaching the third round were dashed after a 32-minute defeat to world No. 10 Amanda Sobhy of the United States, losing 11-3, 5-11, 11-5, 11-3.