Pattaya pain fires up Duncan in national junior squash meet

BUKIT JALIL: National junior squash player Duncan Lee is determined to bounce back from his disappointing defeat to Yash Fadte in the semi-final of the Asian Junior Team Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, last month.

The 16-year-old Duncan has set his sights on the Under-17 title at the CIMB Foundation National Junior Championships at the National Squash Centre after he overcame Sacchin Kumar Sivanesan 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 in the quarter-finals yesterday.

The Sabahan takes on third-fourth seed Ishant Shah Atul Kumar today for a place in the final.

“I was not at my best today as my game didn’t work out as well as I wanted,” said Duncan.

“I’m still a bit rusty and trying to get back into competition mood. But I’m ready to get back to my best in the semi-final match.”

In the Asian Junior Team Championships in Pattaya, Duncan was hoping to get second seeded Malaysia off to a great start but he failed as he lost 11-7, 12-10, 12-10 to Fadte.

Top national player Siow Yee Xian regained parity by beating Utkarsh Baheti but Amir Amirul Azhar fell to Veer Chotrani in five sets in the decider as fourth seeds India advanced into the final.

“I was disappointed that day because I never thought I would lose so badly,” said Duncan.

“I was a bit nervous and under pressure because it was a team event and an important match but I couldn’t get the win.

“So now I want to regain my confidence by winning a national title.”