WORLD number two Liz Irving flew into town yesterday determined to make an impact on the $280,000 Pak Fah Yeow Ladies Open squash tournament and erase the disappointment of the Japan Super Challenge and the Malaysian Open.
The 29-year-old Australian was beaten by compatriot Carol Owens and Fiona Geaves of England in the quarter-finals of the two tournaments preceding the Hong Kong event, the qualifying rounds of which start today.
Irving, losing finalist in Hong Kong last year, started 1994 on a high note by winning the Leekes Welsh Classic and was British Open runner-up.
But she injured her knee six weeks ago and her form has plummeted since, resulting in quarter-final defeats in Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur.
However, Irving said: ''The injury was bothering me a bit in Japan and Malaysia but it is getting better and it's nothing the [pain killing] tablets can't take care of.
''What happened in the last two weeks is actually healthy for women's squash because it showed that the younger players are starting to come through.'' She starts her Pak Fah Yeow campaign on Tuesday against Scottish number one Senga Macfie and a victory would put her in a possible clash with England's former world champion Martine Le Moignan, who has drawn a qualifier for the first round.
