Let’s go for gold (SEPTEMBER 17 - 23)
Malaysia aim for glory in men’s Open
THE national wheelchair tennis team are assured of a medal at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games.
But it’s the gold that they’re after. Yesterday, world No. 192 Mohd Yusshazwan Yusoff pulled off a huge upset when he defeated Thailand’s world No. 50 Wittaya Peemmee 61, 46, 64 in the men’s quarterfinals of the Open category at the National Tennis Centre in Jalan Duta.
The win ensured an allMalaysian semifinals, with the 22yearold Yusshazwan meeting second seed Abu Samah Borhan.
World No. 46 Abu Samah got a bye into the last four.
There is even a chance of an allMalaysian final after Ariffahmi Zaquan Ariffin also scored an upset win over the higherranked Banjob Suwan of Thailand.
World No. 71 Ariffahmi, who turns 27 today, won 62, 61.
He will face top seed and world No. 43 Suthi Khlongrua, also of Thailand, for a place in the final.
National head coach Mohd Nadir Ashraf, however, admitted that it would take a phenomenal effort from Ariffahmi to overcome Suthi.
“It’s a great start for us, with Ariffahmi and Yusshazwan winning their matches,” said Nadir.
“But it’s not going to be easy for Ariffahmi. He needs to produce something extraordinary to overcome the more experienced Suthi.
“I’d rate our chances at 4060, but it’s not impossible to dream of an allMalaysian final.”
In the quad category, grandfatheroftwo Azman Hasan also got off to a winning start in his bid to defend his gold.
Azman, who came out of retirement last year, thumped Thailand’s Pol Janteam 63, 61 in the fourplayer roundrobin competition.
The 50yearold will take on Sombut Yampapha, also of Thailand, in his second match today.