PETALING JAYA: Selangor men’s singles shuttler Mohd Haziq Najib considers himself the underdog as he prepares to face Negri Sembilan’s Ayu Fu Sheng in the Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) Selangor final.
Haziq continued his impressive run by knocking out another national player, Kedah’s Chong Lee Qian, 21-12, 20-22, 21-13 in the semi-finals at the Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam yesterday.
Fu Sheng also booked his place in the final after beating Kedah’s Kee Is Qian 21-16, 21-15 in the other semi-final.
The 21-year-old Haziq is hoping to end his final Sukma appearance on a high by winning the gold medal.
But he is wary of Fu Sheng, who has been in good form since knocking out fancied Perak shuttler Eogene Ewe in the second round.
“My target has always been to become champion, but when I first saw the draw, I was a little worried because I knew I would be facing some strong opponents, so I was quite nervous, but I just kept going because I have worked very hard to get this far.
“I have faced Fu Sheng several times before, so I just need to prepare myself as well as I can,” said Haziq.
Haziq has also enjoyed a strong run to the final, beating national player Lim Boon Le of Pahang in the first round before eliminating Penang’s Tan Kean Wei in the second.
Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, Melaka’s Siti Zulaikha Azmi lived up to expectations by coming from behind to beat Selangor’s Eng Ler Qi 18-21, 21-13, 21-11 in the semi-finals.
Siti will face Federal Territories’ Lee Kay Xin in the final after she edged Perak’s Lee Mun 21-10, 11-21, 21-19 in the other semi-final.
