Twenty year old Low Wee Wern is quickly following in the footsteps of world number one and compatriot, Nicol David. In fact, Low Wee Wern?s break into the top twenty in September 2010 came at a younger age then when David broke into the top twenty back in 2003.
2010 saw the Malaysian jump from outside the top thirty to number fifteen by the end of the year.
The pocket rocket from Penang showed the first signs of the jump in form back in January when she pushed Laura Massaro to five games in the Chennai Open. In April she reached her first Silver level semi final, knocking out Jaclyn Hawkes in the quarter finals before being out done by Rachel Grinham.
In July, as a wildcard, she gained her best victory to date over former world number one Natalie Grainger in the first round of the Malaysian Open. She was stopped in the quarter final by second seed Jenny Duncalf.
Her big break came in September when she reached the World Open quarter final. She stunned former number two Natalie Grinham in the opening round, winning an epic battle 13-11 in the fifth. She backed this up with victory over France?s experienced Isabelle Stoehr. Nicol David however shut out her young teammate in the quarter finals.
In December, Wee Wern reached her first Silver level final at the Seoul Open. Here she lost out to Annie Au in the final.
She represented Malaysia at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, falling to Jaclyn Hawkes in the last sixteen of the singles. She was also a crucial part of the squad that achieved third place in the Women?s World Teams in New Zealand, winning the deciding rubber in the third and fourth play off against Joelle King of New Zealand.
2011 started with Wee Wern?s highest ranking at thirteen. It seems inevitable that this young Malaysian star will continue to ascend up the rankings this year.
2010 tour win-loss record: 16-10
Career titles: 4
