KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 10 S. Sivasangari is the only Malaysian to survive the first round of the US$207,500 Hong Kong Open today (Dec 2).
Four other national players were shown the exit.
Asian champion Sivasangari was stretched to the limit by world No. 12 Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt before prevailing 11-5, 9-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5 in 48 minutes.
Sivasangari will meet Belgium's world No.7 Nele Coll next. Coll edged Malaysia's Aira Azman 7-11, 11-13, 11-8, 14-12, 11-7.
World No. 18 Rachel Arnold went down 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 6-11 to Sarah Jane Perry of England.
World No. 36 Aifa Azman lost to Joelle King of New Zealand 7-11, 4-11, 11-7, 7-11.
In the men's competition, world No. 13 Ng Eain Yow succumbed 11-2, 11-9, 11-6 to defending champion and world No. 4 Paul Coll of New Zealand in the first round. It was Eain Yow's fifth defeat to the Kiwi in tournaments this year.
National chief coach Ajaz Azmat said Aira, Rachel and Eain Yow played well, but they lost to better opponents.