Sarawak makes strong start in mixed team tennis

KUCHING: Sarawak’s tennis team made a strong start at the 21st Malaysia Game (Sukma), securing a 4-1 over Sabah in the opening match of the mixed team event at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) courts here, today (Aug 16).

Competing in Group C, Matthew Goh claimed the first point by defeating Sabah’s Rus Zareef Hazmy 6-4, 6-0 in the men’s singles.

Unfortunately, in the women’s singles, Soo Hui Yii sustained an injury, leading to a loss to Sabah’s Elena Mishra Manoj. Soo scored 6-4, 3-6, 0-1.

In the men’s doubles, Sarawak’s Ayden Shah Deen Hisham-Raidon Tan triumphed over Mohamad Asyahmie Haffiezi Suhaili-Samuel Benjamin Guansing, winning 6-0, 4-6, 10-5.

Eliora Hii-Nathanielle Lee secured Sarawak’s third point in the women’s doubles by defeating Jashnavissri Uigneswaran-Miza Rasyidah Zakirah Rasyid 6-2, 6-3.

Finally, in the mixed doubles, Hii Shieng Wee-Lydia Liong clinched the fourth point for Sarawak with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Ryan Yang-Kyra Vamsikrish.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Deputy Minister of Transport and Sarawak contingent assistant chef-de-mission for tennis, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said he was delighted that Sarawak had won handsomely.

He added that the team initially faced challenges, and were seen trailing early in their matches.

“At first, we were very worried because some of the players were sometimes trailing behind 0-4, 0-3.

“But thanks to their endurance training and intensive training, they prevailed,” he said.

In the men’s singles, Sarawak almost lost when the score was 0-4, he added.

“But, Matthew slowly caught up and he won in straight sets. Very strong. So, that is the endurance that we have seen. The result of sending them for intensive training,” he said.

Meanwhile, SLTA president Datuk Patrick Liew was also delighted with the results.

“Rest assured, we will be in the top two in the group and will qualify for the quarter-finals.

“This is our first goal, to at least pass the first hurdle, and we have achieved that,” he said.

Liew said Sarawak will be up against Selangor tomorrow (Aug 17) and hopefully the home team will maintain top spot in the group in order to get seeded in the quarter-finals.

“We are aiming for a marginal win tomorrow to stay on top. It may not be a 4-1 or 5-0 result like today. “But if we can secure a 3-2 win, we’ll be happy. That would keep us at the top of the group,” he said.