Penang Under-16 champion Samuel Lee was made to slog in his opening match in the Boys’ Under-16 singles in the 100PLUS National Junior Circuit (1st-leg) Division One in Penang on Sunday.
The talented top seed found it tough going against Kuala Lumpur’s Hooi Shao Herng before prevailing 21-11, 19-21, 21-13 in a 55-minute battle. The favorite will face Johor’s Liew Xun for a place in the quarter-finals. The Johorean needed only 20 minutes in his 21-9, 21-6 stroll against Sabah’s John Chua Gun Yang.
Selangor’s second-seeded Chua Jin Yang sent strong signals for the Under-16 title when he easily beat KL’s Bryan Chang Khai Yang 21-11, 2-14 to set up a second-round match against Penang’s Jayron Chua. Jayron won 21-12, 21-10 against Sabahan Muhammad Khairul Syafiq.
Arena Satu Samin, the top seed from Sabah in the Girls’ Under-16 eased past Siti Nurshuhaini Azman of Selangor 21-18, 21-11 in her second round match after a bye in the first round.
Also through to the quarter-finals is second seed K. Letshaana of Selangor. After a bye in the first round, Letshaana proved too strong for Sabah’s Velerry Yap – winning 21-7, 21-2 in quick 20 minutes.
In the Division Two matches played in Alor Setar in the Girls’ Under-16 singles Tan Yian Yi of Melaka lived to her top billing as she packed off Sarawak’s Kashley Kho Tze Yin 21-16, 23-21 to advance to the semi-finals and will face Chew Jia Wern who beat Chew Jia Hui 21-12, 19-21, 21-19 in all Perak affair.
Second seed K. Yeshveeni gave the home supporters something to cheer as she overcame Sarawak’s Audrey Vanessa Chee 21-12, 21-14 and takes on Vanessa Ng Po Lyn (N. Sembilan) in the semis.
In the Boys’ Under-16 doubles Perak’s Muhammad Danish Anuar-Syed Zubir Syed Mustaqim pulled off an upset when they downed No 2 seeds Low Yan Tat -Teo Jie Sern of Melaka 19-21, 21-14, 21-17 in the second round.
In Division Three matches in Putrajaya local favorite Aaron Wong Zyi Syen was shown the exit after a shock 21-16, 15-21, 20-22 defeat to Kelantan’s Muhammad Afiq Suhaimi in a 50-minute match.
There was more joy for Kelantan when top seed and favorite Goo Vie Keat also advanced to the quarter-finals after strolling past another Putrajaya hope Chong Kah Hoe 21-6, 21-8.
However, Fawwaz Zainuddin kept Putrajaya’s hopes alive with a 21-19, 21-8 win over Henry Ong Teng En (Perlis) but has a mountain to climb against Vie Keat in his next match.
Suhaimi will meet compatriot Kang Wei Shern for a place in the semis.
