Addeen inches closer to KL Games berth

KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Addeen Idrakie has put himself in a good position to earn a spot in men’s singles of the KL SEA Games after checking into the quarter- finals of the Ohana National Squash Championships.

The 2015 SEA Games silver medallist battled to an 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-3 win over junior Ong Sai Hung in the first round at the NSC Squash Centre in Jalan Duta yesterday.

Addeen will meet joint thirdfourth seed Mohd Syafiq Kamal, who beat Gurshan Singh 11-8, 11-5, 11-7, in the last eight.

World No. 120 Addeen and world No. 105 Syafiq are expected to challenge for one of the two available spots to play singles in the KL Games.

World junior champion Ng Eain Yow, who bagged the NT Open in Australia earlier this month, is set to lead the singles challenge.

“It wasn’t a good game because I wasn’t at my best. I was sick last week and I’m still coughing,” said Addeen.

“Besides, Sai Hung played quite well and I really had to hang in there.

“The match against Syafiq is the one that really matters. I really need to be focused.

“The results for the nationals will be taken into consideration and it’s a good chance for me to show why I deserve to play in the singles.”

It was a stroll for Eain Yow when his opponent – former national player Mohd Asyraf Azan – retired with an hamstring injury. Eain Yow was leading 11-4, 11-3, 9-3 when Asyraf gave up.

National No. 1 Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan stayed on course for his third national crown after whipping Ng Jo Wen 11-2, 11-4, 11-8.

In women’s event, Chan Yiwen defeated Aika Azman 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 to earn a shot against eight-time world champion Nicol David in the quarter-finals.

“I played well today. My plan was to keep the ball tight and make my shots go past her since she’s taller than me,” said the 17-year-old Yiwen.

“I’m happy to have the chance to face Nicol. My plan is to stay on court as long as possible and earn as many points as I can.”

Youngsters Ooi Kah Yan and Aifa Azman also made the last eight.