KUALA LUMPUR: It was a thriller and national No. 1 Ong Beng Hee did just about enough to retain his title in the TC National Championships against Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The 33-year-old Beng Hee was pushed all the way by a determined Nafiizwan before winning 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6.
He appeared to be cruising to victory after taking a two-set lead, especially coming back from 3-7 down in the second set
But Nafiizwan, who lost to Beng Hee in last year’s final, refused to concede defeat.
He made a superb recovery from 5-8 down in the third set, winning six straight points.
Nafiizwan then continued to push ahead and was rewarded with an 11-9 win to force a deciding fifth set.
Beng Hee, however, used his experience in the rubber to win his second national title.
“I lost focus. I was 8-5 up in the third and thinking about the title,” said Beng Hee.
“That was when Nafiizwan started fighting back and he didn’t give me a chance to win another point in that set.
“I was getting a little tired. Fortunately, I managed to hang in there and did a lot better in the fifth set.
“This shows just how tough squash is and you have to really stay focused.
“It’s a good lesson for me,” added Beng Hee, who took home RM10,000.
The world No. 23, however, has no time for rest as he heads to Mumbai, India, today for the Maharashtra State Open.
He is the top seed and faces Egypt’s Zahed Mohamed in the first round.
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