Not a bad show
Malaysia reach three finals so far at Pontefract Juniors
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are on course to snare at least three titles at the Pontefract Junior Open squash championships in West Yorkshire, England.
Joachim Chuah set the ball rolling when he beat England’s Joel Braddock 6-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-8 in the boys’ Under-13 semi-finals.
The 12-year-old Joachim will go up against Ben Beachill, the son of England’s former world No. 1 Lee Beachill, for the title.
In the Under-15 category, Mohd Amir Amirul edged Ishant Shah 6-11, 11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8 in an all-Malaysian semi-final to set up a clash with top seed Sam Todd of England.
Todd, a winner over Amir in the Under-13 final at the British Junior Open in January, cruised past compatriot Hassan Khalil 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 in the other semi-final.
In the girls’ Under-15 semi-finals, Aira Azman was in fine form as she showed England’s Amber Copley the exit with an 11-7, 11-5, 11-9 win.
Aira next meets American Lucie Stefanoni for the title.
“Some of our players went through some tough five setters today. It’s good for them before next week’s British Juniors (in Sheffield) next week,” said national junior coach Andrew Cross.
There were some concerns in the Malaysian camp after reigning world junior champion Ng Eain Yow (boys’ Under-19) and Jessica Keng (girls’ Under-17) were forced to pull due to illness.
“Eain Yow and Jessica were a little under the weather as it was -6°C on Wednesday night. But they are feeling much better now. We hope to have them back on court for a training session tomorrow,” said Cross.
Following Eain Yow’s withdrawal, Malaysia are out of the fight for the Under-19 title.
Siow Yee Xian and Danial Nurhaqiem are, however, going strong in the Under-17 category after checking into the semi-finals.
In the girls’ Under-17 category, Wong Heng Wai is the sole Malaysian left. She received a free ride into the last four after Loweri Waugh of England conceded a walkover.