PETALING JAYA: A gold is already secured and Malaysia could double the joy on the final day of the SEA Cup squash competition in Bangkok today.
The first title is guaranteed with Duncan Lee set to face Harith Danial Jefri in an all-Malaysian showdown in the men’s individual final.
Duncan battled past the Philippines’ Reymark Begorna 9-11, 11-4, 11-1, 9-11, 11-9 in a thrilling five-game duel, while Harith dispatched Singapore’s second seed Jerome Aw 2-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 in 31 minutes.
Malaysia’s second gold could come through Harith and partner Anrie Goh in the Under-21 mixed doubles, where they advanced to the final after beating Singapore’s Ethan Chua-Lee Zi Fang 11-5, 11-4 in just 19 minutes.
They will take on the Philippines’ Jonathan Reyes and Aerra Relano in the title-match.
Hopes of a medal in the women’s individual event were dashed after second seed Yee Xin Ying went down 7-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-6 in a 22-minute contest to Singapore’s Au Yeong Wai Yhann in the semi-finals.
Earlier, defending champion Ainaa Amani Ampandi had withdrawn from her semis due to a knee injury.
National coach Shahril Shahidan remains optimistic.
“We have secured one gold through the men’s individual. I’m confident our mixed pair can also deliver as the Filipino pair have been rather shaky,” said Shahril.
“But everything depends on Harith as he went through a very tough match today (yesterday), and he needs adequate rest before the final.”
On Xin Ying’s defeat, Shahril said the 21-year-old chose not to risk aggravating her injury, especially with several key tournaments still ahead, including the Thailand SEA Games, where player selection remains open.
“Xin Ying had the potential to win, but in the second game, she complained of a knee injury and, just like Ainaa, chose not to take any risks.
“Although she continued the match, she didn’t push herself too hard as she was worried it might worsen the injury.
“The medical team will carry out further checks on both players,” he added.
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