KUALA LUMPUR: Fresh from his Malaysia Cup triumph, Ng Eain Yow is hoping to maintain his momentum at the US$120,000 Singapore Open, which starts tomorrow at the Singapore Sports Hub.
On Sunday, world No. 14 Eain Yow captured his second PSA Tour title of the year by overcoming Egypt's Youssef Soliman in the men's final of the Malaysia Cup.
However, the 26-year-old Asian champion will face a stiffer test in Singapore as the gold-level tournament has drawn some of the world's top squash players.
Eain Yow, who is seeded fifth, is putting his Malaysia Cup celebrations on hold to focus on this prestigious event.
"I arrived in Singapore just a day after winning the Malaysia Cup. My focus is entirely on this tournament, and I hope to continue my fine form," said Eain Yow.
"Every match here will be tough, but I'll give my best to deliver strong performances."
Eain Yow, who also clinched the German Open in April, has received a first-round bye and will meet either India's Velavan Senthilkumar or Argentina's Leandro Romiglio in the second round on Wednesday.
His toughest challenge is likely to come in the quarter-finals, where he is drawn to face world No. 12 Victor Crouin of France.
Should he progress, a semi-final clash with world No. 1 Ali Farag of Egypt could be on the cards.
World No. 9 S. Sivasangari has been handed a tough draw.
The Asian champion, who was runner-up to Egypt's Amina Orfi in the Malaysia Cup final, enters the Singapore Open as the fourth seed.
Sivasangari, who also received a first-round bye, will play either compatriot Aifa Azman or England's Alicia Mead in the second round.
A potential quarter-final showdown with world No. 13 Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt awaits her.
Two-time national champion Aira Azman, who reached the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Cup, faces Egypt's Kenzy Ayman in her opening match tomorrow.