On verge of history: Low Zi Yu and Nur Aina Maisarah upset top seeds Gan Min Yee and Tan Zhing Hui in the National Championships semi-finals yesterday. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Low Zi Yu and Nur Aina Maisarah have a chance to make history as the youngest winners in the National Championships when they take to the court in today’s women’s doubles final.
Zi Yu, just 15 and fresh from winning a silver medal at last month’s World Junior Championships in Guwahati, India, has teamed up with 16-year-old Aina for the first time but had only a few days to prepare for the tournament.
But their debut together has already been impressive.
Their semi-final clash at the Badminton Hall, Precinct 11, in Putrajaya yesterday saw the fresh duo eliminate top seeds Gan Min Yee and Tan Zhing Hui 21-18, 20-22, 21-12.
The hall also celebrated Aina’s 16th birthday with a chorus of happy birthday immediately after the match.
Despite the celebrations, the pair remain focused on the task ahead, facing second seeds Lee Xin Jie-Low Yeen Yuan in the final, who overcame Nicole Chau-Nicole Tan 21-10, 20-22, 21-18 in the other semi-final.
“I’m not thinking too much about being the youngest champion because the match isn’t over yet. I just hope we can play our best in the final,” said Zi Yu.
“I’m really touched by everyone singing happy birthday yesterday. Of course, I want to go into the final and win as a special birthday gift,” added Aina.
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles event, top seeds Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong have a chance to make up for their disappointment at the 2023 edition at Stadium Juara, Kuala Lumpur, after comfortably reaching the final.
The professional pair used their experience to overcome young duo Toh E Hern-Wee Yee Tern 21-15, 21-18 in yesterday’s semi-final and will face another professional pair, Nur Aidil Adha Azman-Helmie Zulhaidee Zulman, in today’s final.
“From the start, we didn’t put pressure on ourselves even as the top seeds. We just wanted to enjoy the tournament,” said Ng Cheong.
“If there’s a chance to win the title, of course we want to be champions,” added Hang Yee.
