KUALA LUMPUR – First seeds, Hong Kong will resume court again with Asian foes, Malaysia for the overall title of the World University Squash Championship (WUSC) 2016 after both nations qualified for the mixed team event at the famed glass courts of the Nicol David Arena, Bukit Jalil.
Hong Kong which was down first did the minimum required with a 2-0 win over Japan in the semi-final.
The showman that gold medallist in the individual event, Fung Yip Tsz is, certainly delighted the crowd with a mixture of finesse and athleticism with a comfortable 11-7, 12-10 and 11-8 scoreline over Rynosuke Tsukue.
Not that Japan gave in easily but even his admirable determination could not stop certain shots that saw the ball eluding him.
In the second game, women’s individual finalist, Wing Tong Tsz beat Risa Sugimoto 11-3, 11-6 and 11-3 in 27 minutes to seal an emphatic victory.
In the dead rubber Chi Him Wong beat Taiki Kaido, 11-9, 11-6 to complete an emphatic 3-0 scoreline.
The Hong Kong coach, Rebecca Chiu said: “Fung Yip started well as Rynosuke kept lapsing into mistakes. As it happened, Rynosuke could not sustain that pressure and a promising rivalry ended too soon. In the second singles, Wing Tong started well against Sugimoto. But the fighter she is, Wing Tong was soon to regain touch to turn things around and help Hong Kong ease past Japan. The team played well, I am very happy with their performance. Looking forward to a Malaysia Final. Not home-ground advantage for us so we will ensure we give it the best.”
Japan and South Africa who both lost their ties will be awarded the bronze as there is no ¾ placing.
‘Tigers’ aim to create history in their own backyard as they home in on gold
The ‘Tigers’ are set to bring the roof of the glass courts of Nicol David Arena down today as the Malaysian team qualified for the final of the mixed team event after a comfortable 2-0 win over South Africa in the semis yesterday 10 September.
It was a bridge too far for South Africa who upset Great Britain 2-1 in the quarter final as they succumbed to the might of the hosts who are gunning for a historic overall title.
Buoyed by an expectant crowd, men’s finalist, Ivan Yuen who was rested yesterday in the quarters, got the ball rolling when he demolished, Kyle Maree 11-3, 11-6, 10-12, 11-6.
Women’s champion, Low Wee Wern sealed the deal with a businesslike performance against Alexa Pienaar, 11-6, 11-5, 11-2.
Hosts, Malaysia will seek to better their bronze medal achievement in the mixed team event in 2014 with this year’s edition guaranteed to be the best in the nation’s history with a haul of 1-1-1 so far.
“Against Hong Kong, we will be in for a tougher time. I will be up against Wing Tong (Tsz) while Ivan will be up against (Fung) Yip. He will want to do well tomorrow against Yip after the loss in the individual final. For the N° 3 (slot), it is up to the coaches to decide on Sanjay (Singh) or (Muhammad) Adeen,” added Wee Wern.
With both ties decided after the first two games, both players were not called up for the decider in the quarters and semis.
Only Addeen has tasted action so far in the mixed team, replacing Ivan for the first singles, who was rested for the 2-0 victory over Switzerland in the last eight.
(Source: WUC Squash OC)
Team Event Final
RESULTS
The event results can be followed here.
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