By : K.M. Boopathy
THE much anticipated semi-finals showdown between Hafiz Hashim and Wong Choong Hann will not materialise as the latter, down with a fever, conceded a walkover in the quarter-finals of the Kedah Open in Alor Star yesterday.
Hafiz, the second seed, had to work hard for his 21-16, 18-21, 21-16 win over 2010-2012 project player Chong Wei Feng in the quarter-finals which lasted for 45 minutes.
He will meet project squad’s number one shuttler Tan Chun Seang, who benefited from Choong Hann’s walkover, in the last four today.
However, top seed Lee Chong Wei hardly faced any problems beating K. Yogendran 21-17, 21-12 and will meet joint third seed Yeoh Kay Bin in the semi-finals.
Kay Bin came from a game down against veteran Roslin Hashim before winning 19-21, 21-11, 21-6 after a 50-minute battle.
In the women’s singles, Julia Wong and Anita Kaur remained on course for a title showdown with comprehensive victories.
Julia, the top seed, beat Daphne Ng 21-13, 21-14 while Anita overcame Ooi Swee Wern 21-17, 21-19 in the last eight. Julia next plays Stephanie Shalini, who beat national junior Vivian Hoo 21-13, 21-17, in the last four.
However, Anita will have her work cut out as she will meet the hardworking Tee Jing Yee, who defeated fellow national junior Sanatasha Saniru 21-17, 7-21, 21-15.
In the mixed doubles, junior pair Tan Wee Kiong-Woon Khe Wei moved a step closer to winning their first local title when they beat junior pair Lutfi Zaim Khalid-Goh Liu Ying 16-21, 21-16, 21-18.
Wee Kiong-Khe Wei is expected to be tested to the limit by Gan Teik Chai-Fong Chew Yen today. Teik Chai-Chew Yen defeated project squad’s Chan Peng Soon-Amelia Anscelly 21-13, 21-7.
