A 3-0 defeat by Finland gave the Irish women's squash team the worst possible start to their World Championship campaign in Malaysia yesterday.

The result was a repeat of the between the two countries in May's European Championships in Amsterdam, when the Irish also failed to win a set against the same Finnish line up.

Aisling McArdle, the Irish number one who is ranked 48 in the world, won just four points yesterday in her match against Tuula Myllyniemi, the world number 61. Louise Finnegan and Olivia French made their opponents, Nina Tamiaho and Kia Paasivirta, work harder for their victories but still went down in straight games.

Ireland, seeded 16th in the championships, play hosts Malaysia (seeded 13th) today in their second Pool C match before playing ninth seeds Canada tomorrow.