MALAYSIA's Koay Hao Sheng and Yus Syazlin Nabila Yusri are the boys’ and girls’ top seeds respectively in the 2nd Penang-Asian Under-14 Series Tennis Championship 2012 which starts at the Penang Sports Club tennis complex on March 20.
The competition is organised by the Penang Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA) with the cooperation of the Malaysian Lawn Tennis Association, the state government and the state sports council.
The Penang Sports Club is the venue sponsor. Hao Sheng is ranked No 1 at Under-14 and No 9 at Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) level while Yus Syazlin Nabila is the top Under-14 girl player and ranked third at the ATF level.
Yus Syazlin Nabila won the Girls' Under-14 singles title at the inaugural championship in Penang last year and is now looking forward to retaining her title before moving up into the higher age-group level next year.
Delizavernne Kaur, last year's losing finalist, was the best ever Malaysian at the ATF ranking list when she ended 2011 as the No 1 ranked player at sian level.
Meanwhile, tournament director Francis Su said apart from Malaysia, the other countries who will be competing are Singapore, the Philippines, the US, Indonesia, India, Taiwan and Switzerland.
“This competition is an opportunity for our local players to score ATF (Asian Tennis Federation) points for their age-group ranking which will enable them to play in the main draw at other ATF circuit competitions,” said Francis.
“If these youngsters don't have an ATF ranking, it will be very difficult for them to get to play in the main draw.
Francis, who is also a PLTA vice-president, said the competition will also be a stepping stone for the junior players who aspire to play at a higher level. By K. Kandiah..
