KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari is the last Malaysian standing at the Paris Squash after compatriots Ng Eain Yow and Aifa Azman made early exits.
World No. 13 Eain Yow crashed out in the first round of the US$190,000 event, losing to world No. 20 Leonel Cardenas of Mexico 11-5, 11-8, 12-14, 11-3 in a 72-minute battle in the men's event on Sunday.
National No. 3 Aifa lost 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 to fifth seed Georgina Kennedy of England in the women's first round.
However, world No. 10 Sivasangari kept Malaysian hopes alive by defeating England's Sarah Jane Perry 11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-3 in 35 minutes. The Asian champion from Kedah will now face fifth seed Olivia Weaver of the United States for a place in the quarter-finals today.