PETALING JAYA: Para shuttler Fareez Anuar had to survive a scare before claiming his first win in the World Championships.
Fareez came from behind to beat Wales’ David Wilson 16-21, 21-8, 21-16 in his opening men’s singles SU5 (upper body impairment) Group H match in Pattaya yesterday.
The 27-year-old was relieved to come away with the win after a nervy start in the first game.
“I should have won the match today (yesterday) in straight games but I made a lot of simple mistakes in the first game,” said Fareez.
“I hesitated a lot with some of my shots.
“Thankfully, I was more confident and patient with my shots in the second game and managed to win.
“I have to play better in my next matches as my aim is to finish top of the group and qualify for the knockout rounds.”
Fareez, who will take on India’s Dev Rathi next, is out to at least reach the semi-finals of the world meet and book his spot in the Paris Paralympics.
Meanwhile, defending champion and Paralympics gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou will open his campaign in Group A today against Poland’s Bartmlomiej Mroz.
In the WH1 (wheelchair) men’s singles, Mohd Ikhwan Ramli suffered a 12-21, 13-21 to China’s Yang Tong in his opening Group C match.
He has to lift his game when he faces Thailand’s Anuwat Sriboran next.
Ikhwan though combined with Noor Azwan Noorlan in the men’s doubles to beat India’s Munna Khalid-Shashank Kumar 23-25, 21-13, 21-10 in their first Group E match.
The pair will play Italy’s Vincenzo Contemi-Piero Suma next.
RESULTS
(Malaysians only)
Men’s singles
SU5: Fareez Anuar bt David Wilson (Wal) 16-21, 21-8, 21-16.
SL4: Mohd Amin Burhanuddin bt Fu Fazheng 21-5, 21-10.
WH1: Yang Tong (Chn) bt Mohd Ikhwan Ramli 21-12, 21-13.
WH2: Noor Azwan Noorlan bt Qambar Akhteyari (Aus) 21-7, 21-10.
Men’s doubles
WH1: Mohd Ikhwan Ramli-Noor Azwan Noorlan bt Munna Khalid-Shashank Kumar (Ind) 23-25, 21-13, 21-10.
