Duncan has the right motto to go places in squash
PETALING JAYA: Always moving
forward.
This is national junior squash player Duncan Lee’s life motto as he’s gunning for a British Junior Open title in Birmingham, England, next month.
The 16-year-old is not going be complacent after his splendid victory in the Under-19 final of the REDtone Kuala Lumpur Junior Open on Sunday.
Staring defeat in the face against top national junior player Siow Yee Xian, Duncan cranked up a gear to play one of the best matches of his life to win 10-12, 6-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5.
It was his second title of the year after capturing the CIMB Grand Final Under-19 in October. And he’s hungry for more.
“I’ve two more weeks before I go to England and I’m feeling confident.”
Duncan’s performances in the last two tournaments have been a huge turnaround after his early exit in the Asian Junior Championships in Chennai, India, in September.
The joint third-fourth seed was sent packing in the second round.
“I was very sad and angry because I lost so early at the Asian Juniors. I came back home with renewed determination and I didn’t want to give up. I kept training hard and had good communication with my coach to get back to my best.”
And Duncan feels he is ready to make an impact at the prestigious British Junior Open next month after finishing as the runner-up in the Under-15 in 2017 and reaching the fourth round in the Under-17 this year.
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia director Mejar (Rtd) S. Maniam was brimming with pride over Duncan’s comeback win and hoped for a podium finish in the British Junior Open.
“It was absolutely outstanding (Duncan’s performance), coming from two games down and matchball down. He showed true quality and the character of a future champion. This is what future champions are made off – guts and fighting spirit to come from behind to win.
“He made mistakes but he kept his cool, he didn’t make mistakes at crunch points and crucial moments and I thought some of his retrieving and winning shots were outstanding.”