Zhi Xuan and Harleein set up all-Malaysian final in President’s Trophy

Sail on: Goh Zhi Xuan (front) upset top seed Akari Midorikawa of Japan 12-10, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6 in the semi-finals of the President’s Trophy.

PETALING JAYA: Goh Zhi Xuan and Harleein Tan rose to the occasion to make it an all-Malaysian women’s final in the President’s Trophy squash tournament in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, yesterday.

Fourth seeded Zhi Xuan of Melaka toppled top seed Akari Midorikawa of Japan 12-10, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6 in the semi-final match lasting 32 minutes.

Harleein, playing for the host state, set up the all-local showdown after coming from behind to beat South Korean Eum Hwa-yeong 6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-7.

Hwa-yeong had eliminated second seed Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines 8-11, 11-1, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10 on Friday to reach the semis.

Former SEA Games gold medallist Addeen Idrakie lived up to his billing as the top seed by reaching the men’s final after beating fellow Malaysian Mohd Syafiq Kamal 11-6, 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-3.

The 31-year-old is making his competitive return after a six-month layoff due to a shoulder injury sustained earlier this year.

Addeen injured his right shoulder at the end of January and only resumed training about three weeks ago in preparation for this week’s tournament.

Standing in Addeen’s way and a Malaysian double is Canadian player Karim Aguib, who overcame Suraj Kumar Chand of India 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10 in the other semi-final match.