Ho Ying-Karen on course for unexpected historic medal

PADDLERS Ho YingKaren Lyne pulled off a major surprise as they stormed into the semi-finals of the women’s doubles competition.

The pair defeated Fiji’s Grace Yee-Sally Yee 11-3, 11-7, 11-6 in the third round at the Oxenford Studios yesterday.

They saved their best for last to turn the tables on home favourites and 2014 silver medallists Lay Jian Fang-Miao Miao 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9 in the quarter-finals.

The pair have a chance to deliver Malaysia’s first-ever individual medal when they meet India’s Manika BatraMouma Das in the semi-finals.

National head coach Beh Lee Wei was overwhelmed by Ho Ying and her 15-year-old partner Karen’s stunning upset.

“We only targeted to make the quarter-finals in most events because we had a young squad. Ho Ying-Karen have exceeded expectations,” said Lee Wei.

“Karen has played well throughout the competition and has shown a lot of potential for the future.

“We would like to get a medal. We have a chance against the Indian pair,” she added.

In the women’s singles, national champion Alice Chang also came close to pulling off amajor upset over Singapore’s Zhou Yihan but the 17-year-old’s lack of experience showed as she blew a threeset lead to lose 11-7, 11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 5-11, 4-11, 9-11.