{
  "id": 7349702,
  "title": "Malaysia's Rachel stuns eight-time world champion in Qatar",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/malaysias-rachel-stuns-eight-time-world-champion-in-qatar",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T15:32:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/racquet-sports/2026/09/1532906/malaysias-rachel-stuns-eight-time-world-champion-qatar"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday, Malaysia's Rachel Arnold delivered a remarkable performance by defeating eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini of Egypt, marking her biggest career upset. Ranked 25th globally, Arnold overcame a deficit to secure a thrilling 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 12-10 victory in just 43 minutes. Her win signified the first time she had triumphed against Sherbini in competitive matches. This achievement also marked Rachel's maiden quarter-final appearance in a Platinum-level tournament.\n\nThe triumph holds significant importance for Rachel as she gears up for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which commence on September 23. In the next round, Rachel will contest against either world No. 8 Georgina Kennedy from England or Jasmine Hutton of England to secure a spot in the semi-finals.\n\nRachel expressed her elation, stating, \"I think I have never beaten a world top 10 player, or maybe top five. I woke up today, feeling great, really happy. I think I just believed myself really the whole time. I just had to stay consistent with my game and stick with it. I was just telling myself not to lose the lead.\" She highlighted the importance of maintaining consistency, admitting to often losing her lead in similar situations.\n\nMeanwhile, Aifa Azman's promising run in the tournament came to an end in the second round. The 30-year-old Malaysian, who had previously upset world No. 14 Marina Stefanoni of the United States in the opening match, lost 11-3, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6 to Egyptian world No. 7 Fayrouz Aboelkheir.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: It was an incredible performance by Rachel Arnold as she created the biggest upset of her career by stunning world No. 3 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Qatar Classic on Monday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}