Sabah lad makes it to semis in Asia tennis c’ship
KOTA KINABALU: Ryan Chee surged into the semi-finals at the 8th Sabah (ATF) Asia 14-and-under Junior Tennis Championship here yesterday.
Chee beat fellow Sabahan player Ryan Lai Eng (sixth seed) 6-1, 6-2.
Chee also qualified for the semi-finals in the doubles where he partnered with Lai Eng. They beat fourth seed from Hong Kong, C Fung/KL Hong 6-2, 6-3 in the quarter-finals.
Sabah Tennis Association (STA) president Johson Koh said it was another surprise from Chee after appearing as Sabah’s sole representative to get through the first round two days ago.
“He is one of the three Malaysian players who managed to reach the semi-finals in the singles events. The opportunity is very bright and I hope one of the Malaysian players will win the title,” he said.
Chee faces top seed R Tortal from the Philippines in the semis. He also faces Tortal (who paired with Mohammed Farroukh) in the doubles.
Tortal defeated Etienne Lee (Hong Kong) in the quarter-finals of the singles events, while in the doubles they (Tortal/Etienne) beat Kamarul Zaman/Nikhil Mukherjee, 6-2, 7-6.
Another Sabah player, Clarissa Sofea Sham, who paired with D Fahrol Rodzi, also made a surprise entry into the semis. They beat Pimmada Lim/Jo Leen Saw, 6-1, 6-4 in the girl’s doubles quarterfinals.
Clarissa and Fahrol face T Cheng/Tsz Lu Lee after the latter beat Athila Masara/Lydia Yong 7-6, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.
The Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) tournament which started on April 9 at the Sutera Harbour Resort and Sabah Golf and Country Club (SGCC) concludes tomorrow.