Yiwen storms into Under-19 semi-finals

KUALA LUMPUR: Chan Yiwen hasn’t had much time to recover since returning from the Asian Team Squash Championships.

But that is not stopping the 17-year-old from targeting a strong finish in the Under-19 category of the National Junior Championships.

In fact, Yiwen hardly put a foot wrong as she blew past Penang’s Lee Jia Wei 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 in the quarter-finals at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The win set her up with training partner and second seed Ooi Kah Yan for a place in the final.

Kah Yan, also 17, earned her spot in the last four by whipping Sarawak’s Brodie Tsen 11-5, 11-4, 11-7.

Yiwen is certainly out for revenge, having lost to Kah Yan in the final of the Under-17 category last year.

“I’m a little tired, mentally especially as I had to switch gears immediately after returning,” said Yiwen, who helped Malaysia finish third at the Asian meet in Cheongju, South Korea, last week.

“I also picked up a thumb injury in Cheongju. Fortunately, the physiotherapists are helping me to cope with it.

“I would certainly love to win this Under-19 title.

“Especially since I lost to Kah Yan in the Under-17 final last year. I believe I’m in good form and I’m confident of making the final this year as well,” added the joint thirdfourth seeded Yiwen.

The other semi-final is between top seed Lai Wen Li and joint thirdfourth seed Ma Si Yi – who both also represented Malaysia at the Asian team meet.

In the boys’ Under-19 event, top seed Darren Rahul Pragasam and second seed Siow Yee Xian stayed on course for a final clash.

Darren downed Selangor’s Kerwin Teh 11-8, 11-1, 11-3 in the quarter-finals to meet BJSS trainee Mohd Hafiz Zhafri in the semi-finals.

Yee Xian, on the other hand, eased past Adam Agan Aziz 11-9, 11-7, 11-5. He meets Selangor’s joint third-fourth seed Darryl Gan next.