National No. 1 Low Wee Wern got off to a good start in the Carol Weymuller Open and plans to maintain a good run in the tournament in New York.

The Penangite, who is ranked 24th in the world, beat local player Haley Menzez in straight sets 11-9,13-11,11-7 in the first round on Wednesday.

Wee Wern, who has been struggling with her knee injuries since September last year, will face another local player, fifth seed Amanda Sobhy, for a place in the quarter-finals.

World No. 7 Sobhy, who won the Texas Open last year, received a bye in the first round.

The 29-year-old Wee Wern said it was a tough match against Mendez, who was supported by the home fans.

“She made me work hard for the win. But I am very happy to have beaten her in three sets. It was a good start for me in the tournament but I will face a real challenge against Sobhy.

“I have not played her since I made a return from injuries more than two years ago.

“But I am ready for the challenge and I hope that I can play consistently well to get the better of her, ” said Wee Wern, who had a disappointing outing in the Tournament of Champions in New York after losing to Julianne Courtice of England in the first round on Jan 10.

National No. 2 Rachel Arnold failed to get through the first round of the Weymuller Open.

Last year’s Malaysian Open champion put up a strong challenge against Egypt’s Yathreb Adel before going down 13-11,11-13,12-10,4-11,10-12.

The Egyptian will face fourth seed Joelle King of New Zealand in the second round.

First round: Donna Lobban (Aus) bt Nele Gilis (Bel) 11-6,11-7,11-5; Melissa Alves (Fra) bt Emilia Soini (Fin) 11-6,11-6,11-7; Victoria Lust (Eng) bt Menna Hamed (Egy) 11-9,11-5,12-10; Zeina Mickawy (Egy) bt Menna Nasser (Egy) 11-9,9-11,11-6,11-7; Yathreb Adel (Egy) bt Rachel Arnold (Mas) 11-13,13-11,10-12,11-4,12-10; Mariam Metwally (Egy) bt Marie Stephan (Fra) 11-4,11-6,11-6; Low Wee Wern (Mas) bt Haley Mendez (US) 11-9,13-11,11-7; Farida Mohamed (Egy) bt Alexandra Fuller (Rsa) 9-11,11-8,11-8,12-10,11-4.