Zhi Xuan and Harleein set up all-Malaysian final in President's Trophy
Fourth seeded Zhi Xuan of Melaka toppled top seed Akari Midorikawa of Japan 12-10, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6 in a semi-final match lasting 32 minutes.
Harleein, playing for the host state, set up the all-local showdown after coming from behind to beat South Korean Eum Hwa-yeong 6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-7.
Hwa-yeong had eliminated second seed Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines 8-11, 11-1, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10 on Friday to reach the semis.
Former SEA Games gold medallist Addeen Idrakie lived up to his billing as the top seed by reaching the men's final after beating fellow Malaysian Mohd Syafiq Kamal 11-6, 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-3.
The 31-year-old is making his competitive return after a six-month layoff due to a shoulder injury sustained earlier this year.
Addeen injured his right shoulder at the end of January and only resumed training about three weeks ago in preparation for this week's tournament.
Standing in Addeen's way and a Malaysian double is Canadian player Karim Aguib, who overcame Suraj Kumar Chand of India 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10 in the other semi-final match.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Do-or-die tests come early for Harimau Muda at AFF Under-23 C'ship
Harimau Muda team taking part in the AFF Under-23 Championship in Indonesia. PETALING JAYA: A bitter opening defeat but one that could serve as a wake-up call for Harimau Muda in their pursuit of a place in the AFF Under-23 Championship semi-finals. In their first Group A match, Malaysia's U-23 squad, led by head coach Nafuzi Zain, suffered a shock 0-2 loss to the Philippines at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Tuesday. The star of the night was Otu Abang Banatao, a rising 18-year-old Filipino striker, who struck twice in the 13th and 42nd minutes, punishing a Malaysian side that dominated the match but failed to make their chances count. Despite enjoying 72 per cent possession and registering 21 attempts on goal, Malaysia lacked the clinical edge in front of goal and were ultimately undone by defensive lapses. Team captain and centreback Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili didn't mince his words after the match. "We were too careless while attacking and forgot about our defensive structure. Our defensive line was too high and the Philippines took full advantage of that," he admitted. "It's a lesson for all of us, including myself. We'll take these weaknesses and work to fix them." The defeat now places Malaysia in a difficult position. With only the group winners assured of a place in the semi-finals, the Harimau Muda must now win the remaining group matches against Brunei on July 18 and tournament hosts Indonesia on July 21 to keep their campaign alive. Ubaidullah remains optimistic despite the setback. "Yes, we've chosen a tougher path now. But as long as there's still a chance to reach the semi-finals, we will keep fighting and believe we can bounce back. Two wins must now be our mission."
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Davis Cup debutant delivers as Malaysia routs Nepal in opener
KUALA LUMPUR: The national tennis squad left no room for drama as they opened their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV campaign with a 3-0 win against Nepal today (July 16). Key player Koay Hao Sheng delivered the opening point for Malaysia at the National Tennis Centre here with a decisive 6-0, 6-1 win over Nepal's Pranav Manandhar. Daniel Prickett, who was making his Davis Cup debut, secured an unassailable 2-0 lead for Malaysia with a straightforward 6-1, 6-1 win over Pradip Khadka. Darrshan Kumar and Leroy Yong then made it 3-0 with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Aayushman Ghale-Nisan Shrestha. Malaysian team captain Adam Jaya had no complaints. "It was a good way to start the competition and try to gain some momentum. Hao Sheng and Daniel both delivered in the singles while our doubles pair also did their job well," said Adam. "I was quite impressed with Daniel as he was making his debut. He played well tactically and is also a very good athlete who is adept at both singles and doubles. "We will look to build on this performance and try to peak by the weekend." Daniel, 20, admitted he made a nervy start to the match but was pleased to secure Malaysia's victory. "I was a bit nervous at the start as I did not know what to expect from the opponent," said Daniel. "I am happy that I was able to stay focused, consistent and disciplined to pull through. It was a good result which will help me carry some confidence through the tournament. "Playing for Malaysia is different than playing for myself on tour as I am carrying my country's flag. Playing at home, there is some pressure as there are people who you know watching and supporting you. "But it is nice, it is a good form of pressure to have." In the other Pool A tie played today (July 16), Kyrgyzstan defeated Iraq 2-1. In Pool B, unseeded favourites the Philippines scored a straightforward 3-0 win over second seeds Pacific Oceania while Qatar downed Kuwait 2-1. Malaysia will face Iraq tomorrow (July 17). Order of play July 17: All matches start 10am
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Hurling-When giants collide: Cork and Tipp finally meet in All-Ireland hurling final
(Reuters) -More than 82,000 fans will roar themselves hoarse inside Croke Park on Sunday, as tradition and rivalry collide with speed, skill and ferocity when Cork and Tipperary contest the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final. These Munster giants -- two of hurling's three most successful counties, alongside Kilkenny -- meet for the first time in the decider, a fixture rich in history and folklore. Remarkably, despite contesting 16 All-Ireland finals between them since the backdoor system was introduced in 1997 — making an all-Munster final possible — Cork and Tipperary have never met at this stage until now. Cork, 30-time champions, last lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2005. Tipperary aim to preserve their record of winning an All-Ireland in every decade since victory in the first final in 1887 and secure a 29th title in the process. With tickets like gold dust, the rest of the nation will be glued to their screens. The BBC will broadcast the match live in Britain, while the Irish diaspora tunes in from Addis Ababa to Australia. Croke Park on All-Ireland Sunday is the promised land for those raised with a hurley always to hand, and these amateur athletes will hold a nation spellbound as they step onto hallowed turf. Hurling -- Ireland's ancient stick-and-ball sport -- uses curved ash hurleys to strike a leather ball, or sliotar. One point is scored by sending the ball over the crossbar; three points if struck past the keeper and into the net below. Unique to Ireland, hurling -- one of the world's fastest field sports -- combines the speed and aggression of ice hockey, the physicality of rugby, the aerial skill of lacrosse and the precision of baseball, with perhaps the grace of figure skating. But, to grasp the occasion's scale and how it continues to outshine the glamorous world of international sport, it is more important to understand what hurling means rather than how it is played. Part of Ireland's heritage and heartbeat, hurling is a living tradition steeped in mythology, where the hurler carries the aura of a warrior, a status linked to the legend of Cu Chulainn. Setanta, later known as Cu Chulainn, famously slew a savage hound with his hurley and sliotar - later defending Ulster single-handedly in battle. That warrior legacy lives on in today's amateur athletes who train like professionals, yet play for pride, not pay. In an era dominated by contracts and endorsements, hurling remains rooted in community and tradition. These players juggle jobs, studies and family life, yet still commit to punishing training schedules and fierce competition, all for the honour of representing their county. Their road to the final began in Munster where Cork defeated Tipperary by 15 points and went on to claim the provincial title, securing a direct route to the All-Ireland semi-finals. Tipperary came through the preliminary quarter-finals, then edged Kilkenny in the semis. Cork, meanwhile, overwhelmed Dublin, scoring seven goals in ruthless fashion. Sunday's final is a repeat of this year's league decider, where Cork also triumphed. They enter Croke Park as heavy favourites, eager to avenge last year's extra-time heartbreak against Clare. Tipperary are happy to wear the underdog tag, and let that 20-year wait weigh heavily on Cork shoulders. Come Sunday, the clash of the ash will echo around a rocking Croke Park, as hurling once again takes centre stage in Irish hearts and minds - and perhaps stirs the imaginations of a global audience discovering its fierce beauty for the very first time. (Reporting by Trevor Stynes)
