KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 — Malaysia hopeful Muhd Asyraf Azan failed in his bid to advance beyond the first round in the 2014 Men’s World Squash Championship in Doha, Qatar, yesterday.

In the opening match played late yesterday at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, the Selangor-born player lost 5-11, 4-11, 8-11 to world number one Mohamed Elshorbagy of Egypt, according to the tournament’s website www.worldsquashchamps.com.

Elshorbagy, seeded number two, next faces Mahesh Mangaonkar of India, who defeated New Zealand qualifier Lance Bedoes 11-9, 11-3, 11-13, 11-9.

Two other Malaysians, Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan and Ong Beng Hee, who cleared the first hurdle yesterday, will next face uphill tasks.

Mohd Nafiizwan faces top seed Gregory Gaultier of France later today. Beng Hee has a tricky second round match against South African Stephen Coppinger tomorrow.

Coppinger pulled off an upset against eighth seed Daryl Selby of England, winning 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 3-11, 11-4 in a gruelling opening round match, late yesterday.

The 36th edition of the tournament offers total prize money of US$325,000 (RM1.1 million). — Bernama