R2 : SJ, Gina, Aira, Malak

Azman v Adderley

Malaysia’s Aira Azman reached her first Platinum quarter-final after defeating Scotland’s Georgia Adderley.

The Malaysian, with medical tape on her arm and leg, was clearly struggling despite winning the first game 11-7. The Scotswoman fought back and took a 2-1 lead in the match, but Azman’s late comeback won her a place in the next round after winning the fourth game 14-12 after a tie-break and keeping ahead to clinch the fifth game 11-9 and reach a third round clash with England’s Georgina Kennedy.

Aira (first time R3 in Platinum) : “I was just thinking about my body today, we had a really tough battle. I’m very happy with my performance and how I pushed through but I’m very worried about my body.

“I’ve had this injury a couple of times now. I recover then get it again, it happens whenever I’m on tour and I’ve been really upset about it because I’ve put so much effort to get my body healthy but it keeps coming back every time. I was very upset but I knew I could push through, it was more of a mental game and I’m very happy with that.

“I’m very happy to get to the glass court next. I’ll have a good rest and see the physio and I hope to play well against Gina and I’m looking forward to that great venue.”

Malak : Coming here today, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. She is a tough opponent, and not easy to play at all. I played her in Chicago and won in 5, and with a lot of calls from the ref during the match.

So I was expecting the same style of match here today. She is a very talented player, as well as being tough to play, great racquet skills like all the Malaysians.

Today, I was expecting a lot of physicality in the game. I tried to do my best, focused on my game plan.

To be honest, I was not very calm today, because of the pressure of the match. I tried to stay calm but it didn’t work really well. But I tried.

I was playing a normal drop shot but her knee came and hit the back of my knee, and I felt a clic. And because I had a knee injury, I was a bit worried it could be bad. The physio said he didn’t know where the pain was coming from, so I decided to get back on court and try and win the 4th.

Wel, I won the 4th and the match but the knee is painful, ha!

I’ll get the recovery that’s needed, I have no idea if I have a day off or not, I haven’t checked, you know, we are just going with the flow, relaxed, this is a great vacation in Gouna, haha!