Saturday August 11, 2012
Squash: National junior champ survives scare to make the semis in Hong Kong
PETALING JAYA: National junior champion Mohd Addeen Idrakie slogged for five sets before eventually booking a spot in the boys’ Under-19 semi-finals of the Hong Kong Junior Open squash tournament.
The speedy 18-year-old Selangor player, who is seeded joint third-fourth, lost the first set 10-12 to Hong Kong’s Henry Leung in the quarter-finals.
But Addeen mounted a strong comeback to eventually prevail 10-12, 11-7, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9 to set up a semi-final clash against second seed Yip Tsz Fung.
“I struggled in the first and third sets because I was not focused,” said Addeen in a text message.
“I struggled in the first and third sets because I was not focused,” said Addeen “But after the fourth set, I felt more refreshed and started to play more patiently and it eventually paid off.
“I have not beaten my Tsz Fung but it has always been a close fight everytime we played each other.
“I’m looking to win it this time. I’ll have to be more patient and over-commit myself into making silly shots,” added Addeen. who is seeking his first title in an overseas tournament.
While Addeen is safely through to the last four, team-mate Sanjay Singh Chal’s challenge fizzled out in the second round, going down 11-8, 11-13, 2-11, 13-15 to unseeded South Korean Yoo Jae-jin.
In the boys’ Under-17 category, top seed Mohd Syafiq Kamal and Asian Junior champion Ng Eain Yow continued their fine form to set up a mouth watering semi-final clash.
In the girl’s Under-17 category, top seed Vanessa Raj (pic) and joint third fourth seed Rachel Arnold also stepped up a gear to make the semi-finals.
The 16-year-old Vanessa was imperious against India’s Harshit Kaur, winning 11-5, 11-1, 11-4 while Rachel dropped a set against fellow BJSS trainee Teh Min Jie before prevailing 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-8.
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