Monday February 18, 2013
Nafiizwan an easy winner in first leg of Malaysia Tour
By AFTAR SINGH
Champion: A filepic Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (front) in action. He defeated Mohd Addeen in the final of the first leg of the Malaysian Tour squash circuit in Kuala Terenganu Sunday. KUALALUMPUR: National No. 2 Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan lived up to his top billing by beating Mohd Addeen of Selangor in the final of the first leg of the Malaysian Tour squash circuit at the Petronas Golf and Recreational Club in Kuala Terenganu yesterday.
The Kuala Terengganu-born Nafiizwan, representing the Armed Forces, needed just 32 minutes to down third seed Addeen 11-6, 11-5, 11-4 .
Reigning Asian champion Nafiizwan did not dropped a single set in his five matches, pocketed RM3,600 while Addeen took home RM2,400.
In the first round on Friday, Nafiizwan outplayed Mohd Nasri of Forces 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 before defeating another Forces’ player Zulkifli Zakaria 13-11, 11-7, 12-10 in the second round.
In Saturday’s quarter-finals, Nafiizwan beat Pahang’s P. Yovineshan 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 and in the semi-finals he packed off Choong Kam Hing of Perak 11-7, 14-12, 11-2.
The 26-year-old Nafiizwan, who is ranked 33rd in the world, said that it was a good start to the year for him.
“It was my first tournament of the year and I won it without much problem. The win will boost my confidence for next week’s North American Open in Richmond, US.
“I will feature in the qualifying rounds and I hope to qualify for the main draw,” said Nafiizwan, who last won a tournament one year ago at the Hibiscus Gardens Open in Brisbane last February. Yesterday win was his seventh title since turning pro eight years ago.
In the women’s competition, national No. 4 Siti Munirah Jusoh also lived up to her billing with a hard fought 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9 win in 35 minutes over second seed Zulhijjah Azan of Negri Sembilan
The Terengganu-born Siti received RM1,600 while Zulhijjah settle for RM1,100.
The 25-year-old Siti, ranked 44th in the world, was delighted to win her third tournament of her career.
“I hope to win my second title of the year during the second leg of the Malaysian Tour in Johor Baru from March 1-3,” said Siti.
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