KUALA LUMPUR: National junior pair Muhammad Faiq Masawi-Lok Hong Quan underlined their top billing at the Malaysia International Series when they stormed into the men’s doubles final at Iskandar Puteri, Johor, today.
The 19-year-olds, who were crowned SUKMA champions last year, outclassed compatriots Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah-Loh Ziheng 21-12, 21-15 in just over half an hour at the Indoor Arena, Educity Sports Complex, today.
“Our opponents today had much more experience compared to us, so I didn’t expect the match to end in our favour,” said Faiq.
Hong Quan added: “We stayed focused by reminding ourselves to fight for every point and not let pressure take over. That mindset helped us keep our rhythm and give everything until the last rally.”
They will face the tournament’s sixth seed from South Korea Kim Jae Hyeon-Lee Sang Won in the final tomorrow.
Jae Hyeon-Sang Won ousted Indonesia’s Dexter Farrell-Wahyu Agung Prasetyo 21-14, 21-18 in 28 minutes to book their final spot.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s hopes in the mixed doubles were dashed after Loh Ziheng and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan fell 21-14, 21-12 to Jae Hyeon-Jang Eun Seo, who made it an all-Korean final.
In the other tie, eighth seeds Noh Jin Seong-Ye Na Lee pulled off a surprise by upsetting fifth-seeded Lee Sang-won-Kim Min-ji 19-21, 21-15, 21-19.
Women’s singles sixth seed Lim Zhi Shin also fell in the semi-finals after losing in straight games to unseeded Kim Seong Min of South Korea 21-8, 22-20.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
