Squashing it in Pattaya – Malaysia boast 18 players in semi-finals

Yee Xin Ying (right) returning the shot towards Jessica Keng Jia Hui during their National Junior Circuit Grand Finals Semi-finals at Bukit Jalil on Saturday. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. September 23, 2017.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia had a smashing day at the Asian Junior squash championships after 18 players stormed into the semi-finals of all the boys’ and girls’ categories in Pattaya.

Malaysia showed their intent in the boys’ Under-19 where top seed C. Ameenshanraj led three players into the last four with Malaysia’s biggest stumbling block, Noor Zaman of Pakistan, also in the mix.

Ameenshanraj defeated Yujin Ikeda of Japan 11-5, 11-9, 11-5 in the last eight to set up an all-Malaysian semi-final clash against Joachim Chuah today.

Joachim earned his last-four spot after beating Krishna Mishra of India 11-7, 11-3, 12-10.

Andrik Lim was also through to the semis after beating Hong Kong’s Au Lap Man 7-11, 14-16, 11-6, 11-0, 11-9 to set up a last-four clash against Noor Zaman. Malaysia also had a strong representation in the girls’ Under-19 with top seed Aira Azman, Yee Xing Ying and Wong Heng Wai through to the last four.

Aira defeated compatriot K. Sehveetrraa 11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 11-6 and will play Xing Ying, who thrashed Aishwary Khubchandani of India 11-4, 11-2, 11-5 in the semi-finals.

Heng Wai, who beat Toby Tse 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 12-10, will meet another Hong Kong player, Kirstie Wong, next.

Malaysia also have three players in the last four of the boys’ Under-15 after Altamis Aqhar Sallam Sufian, Aqil Mirza Khairil Fariz and M. Nickhileswar stayed in the hunt.

National assistant head coach Andrew Cross was pleased with the performance of his charges.

“We have 18 players in the semi-finals and it’s a good number. A little unfortunate, though, as some are facing each other for a place in the final,” said Cross.

“Noor is still the player to beat although we have three in the semi-finals of the boys’ Under-19 while we have a good chance in the girls’ Under-19.

“Our players have been doing well in the boys’ Under-17 and Under-15, and our girls look good in the Under-13.”

Malaysia won five of the eight categories when the tournament was last held in Macau three years ago. (Malaysians only)Boys

Under-19: C Ameeshanraj bt Yujin Ikeda (Jpn) 11-5, 11-9, 11-5; Joachim Chuah bt Krishna Mishra (Ind) 11-7, 11-3, 12-10; Andrik Lim bt Au Lap Man (Hkg) 7-11, 14-16, 11-6, 11-0, 11-9.

Under-17: Harith Daniel bt Tay Jun Qian 11-8, 11-7, 1-11, 11-13, 11-3; Low Wa Sern bt Tam Tsz Shing (Hkg) 11-6, 11-2, 11-3; Sharan Punjabi (Ind) bt K. Hashvind 11-7, 14-12, 11-7.

Under-15: Altamis Aqhar Sallam Sufian bt Larry Wong (Hkg) 12-10, 11-7, 11-5; Aqil Mirza Khairil Fariz bt Mubeen Khan (Pak) 5-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4; M. Nickhileswar bt Priyaan Thakker (Ind) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7.

Under-13: Raziq Putra Fakhrur Razi bt Ahmed Khalil (Pak) 7-11, 11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9; S. Lokesh (Ind) bt Haiqal Hazim Syarudin 11-6, 11-6, 11-2; Sim Yeak Wei bt Nauman Khan (Pak) 11-7, 11-6, 7-11, 11-3.

Girls

Under-19: Aira Azman bt K. Sehveetrraa 11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 11-6; Yee Xing Ying bt Aishwary Khubchandani (Ind) 11-4, 11-2, 11-5; Wong Heng Wai bt Toby Tse (Hkg) 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 12-10.

Under-17: U. Thanusaa bt Tiana Parasrampuria (Ind) 11-4, 11-3, 11-0; Goh Zhi Xuan bt Andrie Goh 11-1, 11-4, 11-3.

Under-15: Anahat Singh (Ind) bt Doyce Lee 11-3, 11-4, 11-4; Whitney Isabelle Wilson bt Elaine Chung (Hkg) 11-4, 11-2, 14-12.

Under-13: Harleein Tan bt Aarika Mishra (Ind) 11-1, 11-1, 11-3; Yek Rui Jan bt Nimrit Pasricha (Ind) 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8; Chloe Lo (Hkg) bt Ooi Wen Min 11-5, 11-2, 14-16, 14-12.

QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS