Tough Wei Sheng draws on smart strategy to stun Thai top seed

YOUNGSTER Loh Wei Sheng proved that he has both the brain and brawn when he came through a Herculean battle to join Zulfadli Zulkifli in the semi-finals of the boys’ singles event in the Asian Junior Championships at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara yesterday.

Wei Sheng came back from the brink of defeat to shock top seed Poodchalat Pisit of Thailand 21-19, 19-21, 21-18 in a 75-minute energy-sapping quarter-final match.

Wei Sheng, the joint fifth-eighth seed, deserves praise for not throwing in the towel despite trailing 4-11 in the decider.

Instead, he cleverly changed the tempo of his game to turn the pressure on the favourite.

With the fans cheering him on, he fought brilliantly to reduce the gap and eventually pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the day.

Today, he will take on Sukamta Evert of Indonesia in the semi-final.

Wei Sheng, who just a week ago scored 7As and 3Bs in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, was glad that all his hard work was paying off.

“I have had a solid preparation coming into this meet. I did a good analysis of his game prior to the match and it helped,” said a jubilant Wei Sheng.

“This is my biggest win and best achievement in my badminton career. I crashed out in the early rounds in my two previous outings. This time it is a big breakthrough for me.

“But the challenge is far from over. I have another tough opponent tomorrow (today) and, hopefully, I will be able to stay consistent,” added Wei Sheng, who was grateful to coach Wong Tat Meng for guiding him over the last two years.

When asked if it was possible to see an all-Malaysia final in the singles for the first time, Wei Sheng said: “I prefer to focus on my semi-final first.”

Meanwhile, it was just as tough for second seed Zulfadli yesterday. He had to overcome slow starts in both games to beat Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong 21-13, 21-14 and set up a re-match against China’s Huang Xiangyu.

Zulfadli had crushed Xiangyu in the final tie between Malaysia and China in the mixed team competition on Wednesday.

“I may have beaten him a few days ago but I will not take him lightly. I am sure he will be out for revenge,” said Zulfadli, who has now assured himself of a place in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

“I reached the quarter-finals last year. This time I have gone one step better. This is a breakthrough for me and I hope to stay focused on the task ahead.”

It was, however, all over for Malaysia in the girls’ singles when Sonia Cheah squandered an 18-13 lead in the rubber game to lose 22-20, 17-21, 20-22 to Deng Xuan of China.

Said a dejected Sonia: “I let slip a good chance to win. I made all the unforced errors at the crucial stages. I was just too eager to win. It was a consolation when I made it to the semi-finals of the doubles event though.”

Today, Sonia-Yang Li Lian will take on China’s top seeds Xia Huan-Tang Jinhua.

The semi-final matches today will begin from 2pm.

Matches involving Malaysians only

BOYS’ SINGLES

Fourth round: Loh Wei Sheng bt Kim Min-ki (Kor) 21-11, 13-21, 21-12; Sukamta Evert (Ina) bt Goh Giap Chin 21-16, 16-21, 21-12; Ng Ka Long (Hkg) bt Lim Yu Sheng 23-21, 21-16; Zulfadli Zulkifli bt Mohd Azriyn Nur Ayob 21-12, 21-8.

Quarter-finals: Zulfadli bt Ka Long 21-13, 21-14; Wei Sheng bt Poodchalat Pisit (Tha) 21-19, 19-21, 21-18.

BOYS’ DOUBLES

Fourth round: Ow Yao Han-Yew Hong Kheng bt Tam Chun Wei-Lam Chun Tin (Hkg) 21-12, 21-9; Prabudita Dandi-Jansen Jones Ralfi (Ina) bt Lim Chun Ming-Low Juan Shen 21-14, 7-21, 21-8; Teo Ee Yi-Nelson Heg Wei Keat bt Apisuk Akrawin-Apisuk Inkarat (Tha) 21-12, 21-11.

Quarter-finals: Yao Han-Hong Kheng bt Li Gen-Song Ziwei (Chn) 21-12, 21-7; Ee Yi-Nelson bt Rusdianto Ericson-Ardianto Nur Wahid (Ina) 21-14, 21-15.

GIRLS’ SINGLES

Fourth round: Sonia Cheah bt Castilo Gelita (Phi) 21-6, 21-12.

Quarter-finals: Deng Xuan (Chn) bt Sonia 20-22, 21-17, 22-20.

GIRLS’ DOUBLES

Fourth round: Yang Li Lian-Sonia Cheah Su Ya bt Ghate Gauri-Sawant Prajakta (Ind) 21-10, 21-16; Lai Pei Jing-Shevon Lai Jemie bt Lee Fang-yu-Park So-young (Tpe) 21-12, 21-10.

Quarter-finals: Sonia-Li Lian bt Mine Ayumi-Yanao Kurumi (Jpn) 23-21, 21-17; Ou Dongni-Bao Yixin bt Pei Jing-Jemie 21-11, 21-7.

MIXED DOUBLES

Fourth round: Ow Yao Han-Lai Pei Jing bt Chen Zhuofu-Ou Dongni (Chn) 21-19, 21-13; Choi Seung-il-Park So-young (Kor) bt Jani Santenos-Erica Khoo Pei Shan 21-15, 21-11.

Quarter-finals: Yao Han-Pei Jing bt Seung-il-So-young 21-15, 21-7.