Wee Wern thrilled to break into world’s top 50

Top national junior squash player Low Wee Wern (pic) is ecstatic after breaking into the top-50 of the world rankings.

The 18-year-old Penangite, who only started full-time training after completing her O-Levels this year, is ranked No. 46 in the latest list released by the Women’s International Squash Players Association (Wispa) on Nov 1.

“I have accomplished my target for this year. However, I will continue to train harder to improve my rankings next year,” said Wee Wern.

The two-time Asian junior champion has made tremendous progress since winning her first professional title — the NSC Satellite No. 3 — in April.

She achieved the feat by disposing of the top two seeds — Lisa Camilleri of Australia and Siti Munirah Jusoh — in the semi-final and final respectively.

Wee Wern, the fourth ranked national player, then captured the Terengganu Sukma (Malaysia Games) crown in June, overcoming national No. 3 Delia Arnold in five sets.

Her good form did not go unnoticed and she was packed off for a 10-week training stint in Amsterdam under world No. 1 Nicol David’s coach, Liz Irving.

It was her first overseas training stint.

The training did wonders for her confidence and she made an excellent debut in the World Open in Manchester last month, winning both her qualifying round matches to reach the main draw, where she lost to Kasey Brown of Australia 5-11, 13-11, 4-11, 11-13 in the first round. And all her hard work on court finally paid off with her rise in the world rankings list.

“I am also happy to have undergone my first overseas training stint and earning a place into the main draw of the World Open.

“My good performances in the professional circuits have earned me a place in the national squad for the women’s World Team Championship in Egypt (on Nov 30-Dec 6),” said Wee Wern, who will be gunning for her third Asian junior title in India next year.

World No. 1 Nicol, who bagged the World Open title for the third time last month, will lead Malaysia’s challenge in the team event.

The other members of the national team are world No. 24 Sharon Wee and No. 34 Delia Arnold.