Kuala Terengganu: The reigning Sabah Open champion Mak Hee Chun-Tan Bin Shen pulled off a stunning, 24-22,13-21,21-13 upset win over tournament favorite Commonwealth Games champion Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong in an intense battle at the semi-final of National GP finals, Kuala Terengganu on Monday.
Mak-Tan will clash with Malaysia’s national backup shuttlers Tan Wee Gieen-Teo Ee Yi for the National GP Finals title.
Another significant surprise of the day came after Daren Liew was beaten 19-21, 10-21 by 19 year-old Lim Chi Wing, who is on course for his first national title. Lim will play Zulfadli Zulkiffli in Tuesday’s title match.
“I tried to make Daren feel uncomfortable by playing aggressively, and it works,” said Chi Wing, who also won the Vietnam International Series title in October.
Meanwhile, Zulfadli who was stopped at the semi-final for the last two years, came out in beast mode on Monday to dispatch Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) player Iskandar Zulkarnian Zainuddin 21-10, 21-10 in 30 minutes.
“I am glad I finally made it to the final. Chi Wing is playing with top form, it will be tough to play against him in the final. I’ll keep my focus, and won’t let the pressure to keep me down,” said Zulfadli.
In women’s singles, 17-year-old Lee Ying Ying fought back from one game deficit to defeat Ho Yen Mei 16-21, 21-19, 21-18 to face BAM player Yang Li Lian in the final.
Tan Aik Quan/Lai Pei Jing also made it to the mixed doubles final. They will take on Mohd Lutfi Zaim Bin Abdul Khalid/Soong Fie Cho on Tuesday while Chow Mei Kuan/Lee Meng Yean and Amelia Alicia Anscelly/Soong Fie Cho will battle for the national championships title in women’s doubles.
