GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1197233282945943", "Star_Sports_Skyscraper");

Sports

Saturday May 30, 2009

Cheah siblings sweep both women’s singles titles

KUANTAN: The Cheah siblings of Lydia and Sonia made it a family affair in the women’s singles events at the Pahang Open yesterday.

The 20-year-old Lydia finally ended her four-year title drought in the local circuit when she defeated Sannatasah Saniru 21-15, 21-13 in a lop-sided women’s singles final in Division One yesterday.

Younger sister Sonia then capped a memorable night for the Cheah family when she put up a great fight to beat Yang Li Lian 12-21, 21-18, 21-11 for the Division Two girls’ singles crown.

This is the first time the sisters have won a title each in the same tournament.

The lanky Lydia was happy with her breakthrough win although it was achieved in the absence of Wong Mew Choo and Julia Wong.

Mew Choo has skipped the tournament as she is undergoing treatment for her knee while Julia is on a seven-month break after hurting her knee during the Sudirman Cup in Guangzhou three weeks ago.

“This win still means a lot to me although the top two players are not here,” said Lydia. “I have been competing in Division One since I was 16 years old and to win my first Open title after four years is an achievement.

“And this outing here is even sweeter because my sister won the Division Two title.”

Lydia sees the win as a timely boost for the World Championships, which will be held in Hyderabad, India, from Aug 10-16.

“I want to do well in my second World Championships. I do not plan to go there as a mere passenger in the team but to achieve good results,” said Lydia, who has been selected to replace Julia.

Lydia will play in the Singapore Open from June 9-14 before heading to India.

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

Sports Poll