Sukma XXI: Heartbreak for Sarawak as tennis team misses out on medal

KUCHING (Aug 19): Sarawak failed to win its first Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 medal in tennis after falling 2-3 to Selangor in the mixed team event’s third placing playoff this morning.

Selangor’s Sharifah Elsa Wan Abdul Rahman, whose father is from Sarawak, won the women’s singles encounter after defeating Nathanielle Ann Lee 6-0, 6-1.

Selangor then secured the second and third points after winning in the men’s doubles and women’s doubles matches.

The pair of Christian Andre Liew Sheng and Hayden Khoo Menon won their match against Sarawak’s Matthew Goh and Raidon Tan 6-4, 6-2 in the men’s doubles.

Sarawak’s Lydia Liong and Eliora Hii lost to Chloe Chong and Jo Leen Saw 3-6, 1-6 in the women’s doubles.

Sarawak’s first point was won in the mixed doubles after the pair of Hii Shieng Wee and Soo Hui Yii defeated Jon Caleb Valentino and Zoeey Mak 6-1, 6-1.

Sarawak’s second point was a consolation victory in men’s singles after Selangor’s Devesh Sarawan retired while trailing Ayden Shah Deen Heshaam 6-3, 3-2.

Despite this setback, Sarawak still has a chance to win medals in the five individual events namely men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles events.

Sarawak won gold in the men’s doubles and silver in the mixed doubles at the KL Sukma two years ago.

Meanwhile, the final of the mixed team event saw Federal Territories winning the gold medal after defeating Perak 3-2.

Perak state executive councillor Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun was present to hand over medals to the winners.

Also present was Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Marine) Dato Henry Harry Jinep, who is also Sukma Sarawak assistant chef-de-mission for tennis.