Title in hand for Malaysia at 3rd SEA Cup Squash C’ships
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have secured a title in hand after two pairs advanced to the final in the women’s doubles category at the 3rd Southeast Asian Cup Squash Championship held at the Sarawak Squash Centre in Petra Jaya, Kuching yesterday.
Top seed Chan Yi Wen/Rachel Arnold will square- off against their teammates, Aifa Azman/ Nazihah Hanis, the second seeds, in the final today after both pairs secured victories in their respective semifinals.
Chan/Rachel defeated joint 3/4th seeds, Jemyca Aribado/ Yvonne Alyssa Dalida of the Philippines 11- 8, 11- 7 while Aifa/ Nazihah overcame joint 3rd/4th seeds, Catur Yuliana/Rinduri Maulida Arnasty of Indonesia 11- 6, 11-3.
The category proceeded straight to the quarterfinals as only eight pairs were participating.
In the men’s doubles category, two Malaysian representatives who received a bye in the opening round, moved to the last four after edging their respective opponents in the quarterfinals.
Top seeds Mohammad Syafiq Mohd Kamal/ Ng Eain Yow whipped joint 5/8th seed, Lydio Espinola/ Reymark Begornia of the Philippines 11- 0, 11- 3 while second seeds Mohd Addeen Idrakie Bakhtiar/ Sanjay Singh Chal scored a 11- 6, 11- 6 win over joint 5/8th seeds Eris Setiawan/Syauma Siswa Utama of Indonesia.
Based on the tournament format, the winner in the first round of the men’s doubles category will advance straight to the quarterfinals.
In the mixed doubles category, two Malaysian pairs also booked their spot in the semifinals after securing victories in the last eight.
Sanjay/Rachel who are the top seeds, however, received a stiff competition from joint 5/8th seeds Ade Furqon/ Catur Yuliana of Indonesia before securing a 10-12, 11-1, 11- 3 victory.
Second seeds Mohammad Syafiq/Aifa Azman, on the other hand, scored a convincing 113, 11- 4 victory against another Indonesian pair, Nisa Nur Fadillah/Muhammad Rizal.
For the record, defending champion Singapore hosted the first edition in 2015, followed by Myanmar last year. — Bernama