A Tan of titles and Harleein wants more

Sensational: Harleein Tan (right) in action against Jinoreeka Ning. ­— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Eight is not enough.

Rising junior squash player Harleein Tan continued her domination in the National Junior Championships by defending the girls’ Under-17 title with a superb 11-7, 11-9, 11-2 win against Perak’s Jinoreeka Ning at the Jalan Duta Squash Courts yesterday.

It was her eighth title in the series, having won twice in every other category – Under-11, Under-13 and Under -15.

And the 16-year-old wants more as she will be eligible to compete for the next two years.

Harleein said it would be amazing to bag a perfect 10 before moving on to the senior categories.

“Ten would be amazing, it’s something I would definitely want, and I will try my best to work for it,” she said.

Top seed Harleein admitted it would not be easy to keep the winning streak going but it was a challenge that she was ready to face.

“This win today (yesterday) was just as special as the rest. I’m really glad I was able to continue the streak,” said Harleein.

“I’m grateful, but matches like these demand full focus from the very start. I kept reminding myself to be present in every rally and control what I could.

“I had to keep a steady mindset even when the score wasn’t changing as fast as I wanted.”

Meanwhile, Whitney Isabelle Wilson of Sarawak lived up to her top seeding when she dethroned Negri Sembilan’s V. Haneesha 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6 to win the girls’ Under-19 title.

The 17-year-old admitted she felt the pressure coming in as top seed as it was her first competition after completing her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exams last year.

“The last tournament I played was in June last year,” said Whitney.

“But I was excited to perform, and it feels good to be back. This year I’ll be focusing more on my squash.”

Boys

Under-11: Iman Dylan Saadan (Sel) bt Syed Mohd Arash Adamsa (Ked) 11-4, 11-9, 11-5,

Under-13: Mohd Sharhan Mohd Saiful (Phg) bt Mior El-Fayedh (Kul) 8-11, 11-8, 11-4, 13-11,

Under-15: Armann Merzha Ashraff (Per) bt Mohd Ifwat Zulkifli (Per) 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7,

Under-17: Mohd Haiqal Hazim Syarudin (Ked) bt Sim Yeak Wei (Ked) 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-3,

Under-19: Aqil Mirza Naim Khairil Fariz (Ked) bt Altamis Aqhar Sallam Sufian (Swk) 4-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7.

Girls

Under-11: B. Kavilaasri (Ked) bt H. Vinirsa (Kul) 10-12, 11-2, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8,

Under-13: Keerti Pradhaa Junivar Bala (Kul) bt Nurul Nisa Najihah Mohd Nazir (Ked) 13-11, 3-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-7,

Under-15: Niea Chew (Sel) bt Maisarah Khairul Nizam (Ked) 6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5,

Under-17: Harleein Tan (Neg) bt Jinoreeka Ning (Prk) 11-7, 11-9, 11-2,

Under-19: Whitney Isabelle Wilson (Swk) bt V. Haneesha (Neg) 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6.