Singapore: Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie again proved resistant to Chong Wei Feng of Malaysia, as the No. 4 seed from Malaysia absorbed the brute force of Jonatan on Sunday to book his place in the last four of the SEA Games men’s singles event.
In their previous encounter 3 days ago, Chong Wei Feng had to work hard to overcome the teenage sensation from Indonesia 21-18, 21-13, 21-15 in the men’s team semi-finals between Malaysia and Indonesia. Wei Feng kept up his hopes of finishing the SEA Games with flying colors when he fought back from dropping the opening set 20-22, to win the next two thrilling sets with 21-19, 21-18.
Wei Feng will play No. 1 seed Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand in the semi-finals.
“It was the mental toughness that made the difference in today’s match. I will play my best against Tanongsak tomorrow, so let’s see what happens,” said Wei Feng.
Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk defeated Singaporean Derek Wong 18-21, 21-17, 13-21 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday. Tanongsak fought hard in the decider and left the Singaporean trailing in his wake with a series of blistering winners, before closing out the set and match.
Another Malaysian men’s singles, Mohd Arif Abdul Latif seemed to have put his devastating loss in the men’s team semi-final event well behind him as the Malaysian battled his way into the semi-finals of SEA Games men’s singles event with a gutsy 22-20, 19-21, 21-19 win over No.3 seed Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand. Arif will clash with home favorite Loh Kean Yew on Monday, if Arif wins, he is assured of at least a silver medal.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s men’s doubles duo Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Chayut Triyachart will play in the semi-finals after overcoming Thailand’s Pakkawat Vilailak and Wannawat Ampunsuwan. Chrisnanta and Triyachart beat the Thais won 21-19, 17-21 and 21-18.
