The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Chan-Goh on a high in China
- Malaysia third again
- Kevin qualifies for world meet despite finishing fourth in Dubai
| Posted: 17 Nov 2012 04:09 PM PST PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying finally got the monkey off their backs when they beat Indonesia's Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir for the first time to qualify for the final in the China Open in Shanghai. But it was a sad end for singles shuttler Chong Wei Feng and the doubles pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, who were sent packing in their semi-final ties. The day certainly belonged to Peng Soon-Liu Ying, the Japan Open champions, who were in smashing form as they dominated third seeds Tontowi-Liliyana for a comfortable 21-19, 21-14 win. It was a massive result for Peng Soon-Liu Ying, currently enjoying their highest ever world ranking at No. 4, as they had never beaten their world No. 3 rivals in four previous meetings. The victory provided a measure of revenge for Peng Soon-Liu Ying, who had lost to the Indonesians in the All England and Swiss Open earlier this year. A jubilant Peng Soon said this was the perfect confidence booster for the tough match against top seeds Xu Chen-Ma Jin in today's final. The world No.1 pair had no problems dispatching unseeded South Koreans Yoo Yeon-seong-Jang Ye-na 21-19, 21-13. "It feels great to have finally beaten Tontowi-Liliyana. It's a massive breakthrough," said Peng Soon. "We're certainly feeling more confident now and will continue to strive for good results against the top players. It won't be easy against Xu Chen-Ma Jin but we will try our best." But while Peng Soon-Liu Ying were celebrating their second Super Series final appearance, Wei Feng failed to make the grade. The 25-year-old, who had been stunning en route to the last four, was thrashed 6-21, 7-21 by top seed Chen Long. The world No. 3 will meet compatriot Wang Zhengming, who was given a free ride into the final as second seed Chen Jin conceded a walkover. In the men's doubles, Malaysia's Kien Keat-Boon Heong were outclassed 16-21, 16-21 by Danish top seeds Mathias Boe-Carsten Morgensen. The Danes will meet South Korean pair Ko Sung-hyun-Lee Yong-dae in the final. The Koreans continued their fine form by beating fourth seeds Hioyuki Endo-Kenichi Hayakawa of Japan 21-16, 21-15. |
| Posted: 17 Nov 2012 04:10 PM PST PETALING JAYA: The stage was set for national No. 2 Low Wee Wern to write herself into squash folklore by sending Malaysia into the final of the Women's World Team championship in Nimes, France, but she fell short yesterday. Malaysia and England were tied at 1-1 in the semi-finals, leaving Wee Wern with the task of landing the winning point. But faced with the challenge of beating world No. 4 Alison Waters, the seventh ranked Wee Wern could not raise her game and succumbed 6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 5-11. England, the top seeds, won 2-1 to set up a final clash with Egypt, who recorded an emphatic 3-0 win over defending champions Australia. The 22-year-old Wee Wern, however, redeemed herself when she came back strongly. She set aside her earlier disappointment and was the first Malaysian on court for the third-fourth battle. This time, Wee Wern was in her element and beat Australia's Donna Urquhart 13-11, 11-6, 11-7 to send Malaysia on their way to a fourth successive third place finish. World No.1 Nicol David (pic), who has been superb all week, then came on to trounce old rival Rachael Grinham 11-6, 11-6, 11-4 to seal the win. Delia Arnold then easily defeated third string Aussie Melody Francis 11-6, 11-6 in the dead rubber. Still, it was a heartbreaking result for Malaysia as they also lost to England by the same scoreline in the semi-finals two years ago. "I tried my best in the semi-finals but it simply wasn't enough. Alison was way too experienced in situations like these and that made the difference," said Wee Wern, who has now lost to Waters four times this year. "I'm obviously disappointed as the team were banking on me to get us into the final. But it's a lesson I will learn from. So to win the first point against Australia was certainly a relief because it was tough to come in and play again. "But I knew it's very important to get that point and I'm glad that I helped secure the third place finish," added Wee Wern. National elite coach Peter Genever, while disappointed with the team's semi-final defeat, lauded the third-placing effort. "It was pretty disappointing in the semi-finals but England are a very tough team and a lot more experienced than us," said Genever. "But I think Wee Wern rebounded very well and she was at her best in her match against Donna. Overall though, while we're happy to retain third spot, it's also sad that we can't do better than the previous years. "But we win some and we lose some and we'll go back with good lessons and work on breaking into the top two next time," he added. |
| Kevin qualifies for world meet despite finishing fourth in Dubai Posted: 17 Nov 2012 06:29 PM PST PETALING JAYA: Kevin Yeap, swimming in the company of double Olympic champion Sun Yang, just missed out on a medal after coming in fourth in the 400m freestyle final at the Asian Swimming Championships in Dubai on Friday. But there was still reason to smile for the 23-year-old Malaysian as he dipped under the World Championships qualifying time of 3:57.58 for the event. Kevin clearly enjoyed the opportunity to swim with the Chinese world record holder and it inspired him to finish in 3:54.74, just 0.15s behind third placed Takumi Komatsu of Japan. It was a new personal best for Kevin, who won the SEA Games gold medal in the discipline last year. More importantly, it assured him a place in the World Championships in Barcelona next July. Kevin will definitely be primed for an assault on Daniel Bego's national record of 3:53.99 set in 2009 at the Laos SEA Games when he swims at the world meet. Australia-based Sun Yang raced to an easy victory with a new championship record of 3:42.49 while team-mate Hao Yun clocked 3:54.34 for the silver. Kevin had the sixth fastest time of 4:02.47 in the preliminaries to book a place in the final. He just missed out on the world meet qualifying mark of 1:52.21 for the 200m freestyle after finishing fifth in 1:52.64 in the final, which was also won by Sun Yang. Khoo Cai Lin made a rare appearance in the women's 400m individual medley and did well to reach the final, placing fifth with a personal best of 4:56.64. Malaysia are only represented by three swimmers in Dubai. Yap See Tuan was the first to see action but missed out on making the final of the men's 50m breaststroke. He was 13th fastest in the preliminaries with a time of 29.96. The Asian meet is held every four years and the diving contest will take place next week. |
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