TENNIS fans can expect a fiery battle between Negri Sembilan and Selangor in the Malaysia Games competition in Kuala Lumpur today.
Negri Sembilan, led by national men's and women's champions, Syed Agil Syed Naguib and Jawairiah Noordin, are good for five gold medals - men's team, singles, doubles, women's singles and mixed doubles.
Selangor, spearheaded by comeback kid Juan Antonio Los Santos and T. Neesha, are favourites in the women's team and doubles competitions.
Syed Agil and teammate Khoo Er Yang, together with Los Santos and Kuala Lumpur's Marcus Chee, are expected to battle it out for the men's singles title.
In the women's singles, Jawairiah and Neesha, the top two players in the country, are the favourites for the gold medal.
Selangor coach S. Selvarajoo said his team are good for two gold medals in the competition. "We will effortlessly win the women's team event.
"The other gold medal could come from either the women's doubles or mixed doubles.
"However, I also expect my players to make an impression in other events. Overall, Negri and Selangor are favourites but KL could surprise."
The Selangor team comprise Muhd Zaki Pauzi, Joshua Jordan, Los Santos, Colin Wong, Hanifah Rahizam (boys), Neesha, S. Theiviya, Adelle Boey, Alyssa Boey and R. Archnaah (girls).
The men's and women's team competition start today.
GROUPINGS - Boys' Group A: Negri Sembilan, Perlis, Perak; Group B: Selangor, Kedah, Federal Territories; Group C: Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan; Group D: Sabah, Malacca, Pahang, Penang.
Girls' Group A: Selangor, Perak, Federal Territories; Group B: Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Malacca, Group C: Pahang, Sabah, Perlis, Penang.
