Great start for Li Jane and Siti in US
PETALING JAYA: Sin Li Jane and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman exacted sweet revenge on their opponents to storm into the second round of the US Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour Championship in Virginia.
Kuala Lumpur SEA Games triple gold medallist Li Jane was in her element as she blew away Colombia’s Rocio Restrepo 223-191, 227-214, 265-230 in the best-of-five elimination match at the Richmond Raceway on Monday.
Li Jane was beaten by the Colombian to the Greater Detroit Open crown the last time they met in June last year.
“I didn't expect to win 3-0. I was expecting a tough battle as Rocio is such a good bowler,” said the Perakborn Li Jane.
“I'm glad I made it through but I will not get carried away because every round is a do-or-die match.
“I'm just going to take it one step at a time.”
Li Jane will next face American Shannon O’Keefe, who outclassed Germany’s Birgit Poppler 214-209, 269-199, 279-209.
While Li Jane marched on with relative ease, Siti had to fight tooth and nail before prevailing 255-197, 247-277, 221-195, 214-234, 241-215 against another Colombian Clara Guerrero, a two-time World Cup winner.
It took almost eight years for Siti to avenge her first-round Masters’ defeat at the 2009 World Championships in Las Vegas.
Then, Siti lost 3-2 to Guerrero and the latter went on to emerge as the world champion.
“Both of us have very good line to bowl which led to high-scoring games, there’s just no room for error,” said Siti.
Awaiting Siti in the second round is another formidable opponent – Shannon Pluhoswky – who overcame fellow American Stefanie Johnson 184-268, 250-190, 229-170, 245-242.
Siti and Li Jane created history by becoming the first Malaysian champions on the PWBA Tour.
In June, Siti won the Wichita Open while Li Jane bagged the Lincoln Open.