Sukma XXI: S’wak loses to Federal Territory in tennis mixed team event

KUCHING (Aug 18): Sarawak narrowly missed out on a spot the finals of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI tennis mixed team event after losing 2-3 to Federal Territory in the semi-final today.

Both teams were initially tied at 2-2 after Sarawak won the men’s doubles and women’s doubles, while Federal Territory won the men’s and women’s singles events.
In the deciding mixed doubles event, Sarawak’s Matthew Goh and Soo Hui Yii made a good start by beating Darrshan Suresh Kumar and Daania Daniella Abd Hazli 7-6 (5) in the first set.

However, a muscle cramp sustained by Goh in the second set saw the Sarawak pair lose momentum, eventually losing the second set 3-6.

The last point was conceded to Federal Territory after the Sarawak pair was defeated 3-10 in the super tiebreak.

In the men’s singles, Sarawak’s Ayden Shah Deen Heshaam lost to Leroy Yong 0-6, 1-6 while Nathanielle Ann Lee lost to Phang Nao Ziyi 06,-1-6.

Sarawak’s Raidon Tan and Hii Shieng Wee beat Aqil Abidi Rahman and Nicholas Kong 6-1, 6-3 in the men’s doubles while the women’s doubles saw Sarawak’s Eliora Hii and Lydia Liong defeat Athilla Miasara Azizul and Lynn Lim 6-3, 6-2.

There is still a chance for Sarawak to win a bronze medal tomorrow, as they will meet either Selangor or Perak in the third and fourth place playoff.

The semifinal match between Selangor and Perak was suspended to heavy downpour. They were tied 2-2, with the deciding men’s singles match still in play.

The downpour had earlier caused the semifinal matches at the SLTA Centre initially scheduled in the morning to be delayed for few hours.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh came to visit SLTA Centre in the afternoon to inspect the venue and watch some of the matches.

Accompanying her were Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) president Dato Patrick Liew and officers from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.