PETALING JAYA: It was a day of contrasting fortunes for the national squash players in the quarter-finals of the Asian Mixed Doubles Championships.
Top seeds Syafiq Kamal-Aifa Azman stormed into the semi-finals after securing an 11-7, 11-1 win over Tang Ming Hong-Tong Tsz Wing of Hong Kong in the last eight at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Squash Court in China yesterday.
Second seeds Ivan Yuen-Rachel Arnold (pic) joined Syafiq-Aira in the last four after edging another Hong Kong pair, Matthew Lai-Cheng Nga Ching 11-3, 11-7.
But Addeen Idrakie-Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi found India’s Harinder Pal Sandhu-Deepika Pallikal Karthik too hot to handle and went down 3-11, 4-11.
“Addeen-Ainaa could not penetrate the solid defence of the Indian pair as well as some amazing finishing shots by Harinder and they went down in straight games,” said Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director of coaching Major (rtd) S. Maniam.
“For Syafiq-Aifa, their first game was close where they brought the game to a 7-7 tie before Syafiq reeled off some finishing shots and Aifa took the last point to wrap up the game.
“In the second game, they were more solid and focused before notching a reasonably easy 11-1 win.
“Ivan-Rachel started off very well by winning the first game with some solid attacking play but in the second game, they made a few errors before regaining control to win.”
In the quarter-finals today, Syafiq-Aifa will meet Harinder-Deepika while Ivan-Rachel will take on another India pair Anahat Singh-Abhay Singh.
Rachel said they will analyse Anahat-Abhay’s videos because they have never played against them before.
“This will be our first time playing them as they are a new pair,” said Rachel.
“So, we have to watch the matches that they’ve played here in China and go from there.
“But I think if Ivan and I can get our tactics and game play right, then we could have a chance of reaching the final.”
Maniam is looking forward to a thrilling Malaysia against India semi-finals match.
“It will be Malaysia versus India in the semi-finals and I look forward to some good results tomorrow,” said Maniam.
