Rocky pair storm into semis

PUTRAJAYA: World No. 16 Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah showed that they still have what it takes to play together as a pair as they stormed into the men’s doubles semi-finals of the Maybank National Grand Prix Finals at the Precinct 11 Sports Complex in Putrajaya.

V Shem-Khim Wah were only reunited earlier this month after a rocky relationship which saw them split up twice in the past.
 
On Saturday, the duo were in immaculate form as they topped Group B in style. They outplayed Ow Yao Han-Teo Kok Siang 21-16, 21-15 and then whipped closest rivals Chooi Kah Ming-Teo Ee Yi 21-14, 21-14.

V Shem-Khim, who downed Perak’s Chan Ren Cong-Lim Ming Chuen in straight games on Friday, will take on back-up scratch pair Mohd Lufti Zaim-Tan Wee Gieen in Sunday’s semi-finals.

Lufti-Wee Gieen earned their spot in the last four after a hard-fought 18-21, 24-22, 21-13 win over juniors Darren Isaac Devadass-Ong Yew Sin to finish second in Group A.

Kah Ming-Ee Yi also made the semi-finals. They beating Ren Cong-Ming Chuen 21-17, 21-9 to finish as Group B runners-up.

Kah Ming-Ee Yi, however, face an uphill task to make the final. They are up against world No. 8 Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, who are eager to win their first national title.

In men’s singles, top seed Chong Wei Feng had a much easier workout on Saturday.

The Kedahan, who was stretched to three games by junior R. Satheishtharan on Friday, eased past Loh Wei Sheng 21-17, 21-14 to book his semi-final spot. 

Wei Feng will face former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli for a place in the final.

Ex-Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) shuttler Tan Chun Seang also showed that he still has a lot to offer after edging past Iskandar Zulkarninan Zainuddin 8-21, 21-16, 21-17 to top Group B.

Chun Seang, who notched an impressive win over Indonesia’s Simon Santoso in the Vietnam Open earlier this month, will go up against defending champion Misbun Ramdan Misbun, also an ex-BAM shuttler, in the semi-finals.

Ramdan topped Group D after scoring wins over Mohd Arif Abdul Latif and Tan Kian Meng.