KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Rachel Arnold's magnificent run in Shanghai culminated with her winning the US$75,000 China Open title today.
World No. 30 Rachel sensationally upset world No. 15 Farida Mohamed of Egypt 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 in 27 minutes at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Centre.
Rachel started off brilliantly by controlling the first two sets to put pressure on Farida, who had beaten world No. 9 S. Sivasangari in five sets in the semi-finals.
In the third set, sixth-seed Rachel trailed for the first time at 8-7 but at this point, she played a superb game to collect four points in a row to win 11-8, and with it, the title.
Rachel had also beaten Farida in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup in Seremban last November.
In Shanghai, Rachel has been in fiery form, dismissing
world No. 8 Rowan Elaraby of Egypt in the quarter-finals and two-time national champion Aira Azman in the semi-finals.
National chief coach Ajaz Azmat said that it was a great victory for Rachel at the China Open.
"She stunned world No.8 and top seed Rowan in the quarter-finals, and today she was on top of her game to upset world No. 15 Farida in straight sets.
"Rachel was well focused and she executed the right game plan against Farida."
The 28-year-old Rachel said that she felt really focused today.
"I went in and tried to dominate the middle as much as I could and stay patient with her. I think it's still sinking in but I'm really happy with how I played in this tournament and hopefully more titles to come," said Rachel, who will feature in the US$64,000 Malaysia Cup at the Curve Mall in Selangor from Nov 12-17.