National No. 3 stuns Beng Hee, Nicol tops again
GEORGE TOWN: National No. 3 Mohd Nafiizwan Mohd Adnan produced another giant-killing act – slaying top seed Ong Beng Hee – to win the men’s title in the PBA-Nusmetro Asian Individual Squash Championships at the Nicol David International Squash Centre yesterday.
World No. 1 Nicol, as expected, cruised to a comfortable 11-3, 11-2, 11-5 win over second seed Annie Au of Hong Kong to clinch her eighth straight title.
But it was 25-year-old Terengganu lad Nafiizwan who stole the show yet again, having scored an upset win over second seed Farhan Mehboob in Friday’s semi-finals.
Mohd Nafiizwan Mohd Adnan and Nicol David proudly showing off their shields after winning the men’s and women’s titles in the Asian Individual Squash Championships at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Penang Saturday. It was Nafiizwan’s first title and Nicol’s eighth in a row. — CHIN CHENG YEANG / The Star
His 64-minute 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8 win over Beng Hee is proof that age matters in squash.
Although the 31-year-old Beng Hee was gunning for a fifth title and aiming to give his home state a memorable double, the six-year age difference proved to be a telling factor.
This was evident in the fourth game, with Nafiizwan still playing aggressively and Beng Hee struggling to keep pace.
“Frankly, I never expected to win, not with so many top Asian players competing,” said Nafiizwan.
“But I began to believe in myself when I beat Waqas Mehboob and then his brother Farhan in the semi-finals. I am proud of what I have achieved.”
Beng Hee, although disappointed, took nothing away from Nafiizwan, saying “he deserved it”.
“Full credit to Nafiizwan ... he played very well and deserves to be champion,” said Beng Hee, who will head for Egypt for a tournament before flying home for the CIMB Malaysian Open in July.
Beng Hee may have failed his home town fans, but one can always trust Nicol not to fluff her lines.
And the world No. 1 duly rewarded her Penang fans with a convincing win over Annie in just 23 minutes – earning her a standing ovation.
“I felt I played a good match today.
“But it is really amazing to be able to win here before my home fans and, for me, this is a very special moment,” said Nicol, who was full of praise for the up-and-coming Annie.
Annie, who achieved her target of making the final, admitted that Nicol was just too good for her.
“Although my performance was affected by my tiring semi-final outing (against Low Wee Wern), there is still no doubt that Nicol is a class above,” said Annie.
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© 1995-2011 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D
Friday April 29, 2011
Squash: Tough for other Malaysians too to get into semis except for Nicol
By RONNIE OH
GEORGE TOWN: Except for Nicol David and Hong Kong’s Annie Au, the other favourites in quarter-final matches of the PBA-Nusmetro Asian individual squash championships yesterday were pushed to the limit to win places in the semi-finals.
World No. 1 Nicol David and second seed Annie won their matches in straight set at the Nicol David International Squash Centre but in the men’s competition, top seed Ong Beng Hee needed 51 minutes to tame compatriot Elvinn Keo, winning 11-8, 11-4, 9-11, 15-13.
And Beng Hee heaved a sigh of relief after keeping alive his hopes to win the title for a fifth time.
“It has no been easy as the juniors that I have played against so far,” said Beng Hee, who also had a tough match against compatriot Kamran Khan in the previous round.
Hard fight: Delia Arnold (right) and India’s Dipika Pallikal going for the ball during their match at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Penang. Delia Arnold won 9-11;11-7; 5-11; 11-5; 11-9.
“These youngsters have shaped up very well and do not give away cheap victories. I can expect things to get tougher in the semi-finals.”
Beng Hee will play against fifth seed Siddharth Suhde for a place in the final. The Indian upset third seeded Kuwaiti Abdullah Khalid H. Al-Mezayen 12-14, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8 in 68 minutes.
The other men’s semi-final is between Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan and second seed Farhan Mehboob of Pakistan.
Third-fourth seeded Mohd Nafiizwan beat fellow Malaysian Mohd Asyraf Azan 11-9, 11-5, 3-11, 11-8 to advance.
In the women’s competition, third-fourth seeds Low Wee Wern and Delia Arnold also made it the semi-finals.
Wee Wern had to work very hard to overcome a gritty Siti Munurah Jusoh of Terengganu 11-8, 10-12, 11-8, 11-2 in 48 minutes.
“I cannot deny being put under pressure by Siti. But when she began to get tired and looked a spent force in the fourth set, I knew I would achieve my initial target to reach the semi-finals,” Wee Wern, who will play against Annie today.
Delia also had to dig deep into her reserves to outlast Dipika Pallikal of India. The Kuala Lumpur lass, who was left chasing most of the game won 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9 in 75 minutes to set up a match against Nicol today.
Nicol needed only 31 minutes to oust Joey Chan Ho Ling of Hong Kong, winning 11-6, 11-6, 11-7.
Quarter-final results
Men: Farhan Mehboob (Pak) bt Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (Ind) 11-8, 11-8, 11-4; Mohd Nafiizwan Mohd Adnan (Mas) bt Mohd Asyraf Azan (Mas) 11-9, 11-5, 3-11, 11-8; Siddharth Suchde (Ind) bt Abdullah Khalid H. Al-Mezayen (Kuw) 12-14, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8; Ong Beng Hee (Mas) bt Elvinn Keo (Mas) 11-8, 11-4, 9-11, 15-13.
Women: Nicol David (Mas) bt Joey Chan Ho Ling (Hkg) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7; Delia Arnold (Mas) bt Dipika Pallika (Ind) 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9; Low Wee Wern (Mas) bt Siti Munirah Jusoh (Mas) 11-8,10-12, 11-8, 11-2; Annie Au Wing Chi (Hkg) bt Song Sun-mi (Kor) 11-3, 11-6,11-8.
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© 1995-2011 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
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