KUALA LUMPUR: What began as an uncertain doubles partnership for Low Zi Yu and Nur Aina Hatta has now carried them into the women’s doubles final at the National Championships in Putrajaya.
Zi Yu was forced into a new pairing after her regular partner, Dania Sofea Zaidi, was sidelined earlier this year with a serious knee injury that required surgery, paving the way for Aina to step in.
Despite the sudden change, Zi Yu–Aina rose to the occasion by defeating Gan Min Yee–Tan Zhing Hui 21-18, 20-22, 21-12 in the semi-final today.
They will face Penang’s Lee Xin Jie–Low Yeen Yuan in the final after the latter defeated Nicole Chau–Nicole Tan.
Zi Yu said their growing understanding on court had finally begun to show.
“Actually, this was one of our best matches because I felt we played much better than before. We have learned how to control our gameplay and communicate more effectively on court,” she said.
For Aina, adapting to a new partnership was a challenge in itself.
“It was tough at the beginning since we had never been paired together, and our training schedules rarely matched. But gradually, we started to understand each other’s game,” she said.
Aina added that patience and discipline were key to their performances.
In the women’s singles semi-final, Shaneesa Shahidi recovered from a game down to defeat Lee Kay Xin 8-21, 21-18, 21-12. In the other semi-final, Teoh Sue Mei edged Carine Tee 9-21, 21-15, 21-19.
Earlier, the mixed doubles semi-finals saw Tan Zhi Yang–Nicole Tan defeat Isyraf Hafizin–Aina Hatta 21-14, 21-17, while Wee Yee Tern–Clarissa San emerged 21-14, 18-21, 21-13 winners over Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah–Tan Zhing Hui.
There will be no representatives from BAM in the men’s doubles final after Pang Khai Zhe–Ungku Ameer Alif and Toh E Hern–Wee Yee Tern were both eliminated in their semi-final ties.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
