SMK Kuching High dominated the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM)Kuching Tennis Championship, capturing three out of eight categories competed at three venues from Jan 16-19.
Augustine Chang and Gregory Tan handed SMK Kuching High its first title when they blanked Ricco Soh-Md Shafiq of SMK St Joseph 6-0, 6-0 in the Boys Under 18 doubles final.
The semi-finalists were Steven Sugiarto-Terence Soo (SMK Lake) and Geofrey-Michael (SMK Bau).
Kenneth Tan and Low Zhe Han were up to the task to thump teammates Adrian Lim-Kenneth Kueh 6-0, 6-0 in the Boys Under 15 doubles final while the semi-finalists were Shane Perry-Sean Chin San (SMK St Joseph) and Afizal Ahmad-Mohd Zakaria (SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg).
SMK Kuching High’s third title was delivered by Goh Suan and Michelle Sim who posted two wins from two matches in the round robin league of the Girls Under 15 doubles competition.
The runners-up and semi-finalists were the combined pair of Alia Azman (SMK St Teresa) and Caitlin Lean (SMK Kuching High) and Averile-Emelia from SM Lodge.
SMK Kuching High also did well in the Boys Under 15 singles competition, with Kenneth Tan finishing second after losing 7-6, 6-7 (3-7) to the champion Alvin Teng of SMK Jalan Arang.
Tan’s teammates Low Zhe Han and Adrian Lim were the semi-finalists.
In the Girls Under 15 singles, Caitlin Lean was the runner-up after losing 3-6, 5-7 to Sekolah Swasta St Joseph’s Kirstin Leong in the final.
Her teammates Michelle Sim and Goh Suan were the semi-finalists.
Meanwhile, Augustine Chang suffered an upset defeat 4-6, 6-7 (6-8) to Ricco Soh of SMK St Joseph in the Boys Under 18 singles final.
The semi-finalists were Benjamin Bong from SMK St Joseph and Izzul Aizuddin Mohd Noor of Tunku Putra International School.
SMK Batu Lintang also walked away with one title after Choo Lyn Yuen lost little sweat in beating Low Zhe Ning of SMK Kuching High in the Girls Under 18 singles final.
Choo was leading Low 1-0 when the latter retired from the match.
Nicole Phoo of SMK St Teresa and Liz-Natasha Foo of SM Lodge were the semi-finalists.
SM Lodge took the Girls Under 18 doubles crown through Liz-Natasha and Melissa Ong who registered two wins from two matches in the round robin contest while teammates Sim Li Na-Adina Chua secured one win and one defeat to finish second. Semi-finalists were Ashley Chua-Ho Yie Xin of SMK Kuching High.
The event participated by 13 schools at Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association Complex, Maksak Club and Batu Lintang Teachers Training College was jointly organised by SMK Padungan and SMK St Thomas.
Other participating teams were Kolej Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah and SMK Sg Maong.
SMK St Thomas senior assistant (Co-curriculum) Suratin Jumiran gave away the prizes and closed the event.
All the top four finishers in the singles age group will represent Kuching in the MSSM, Sarawak Tennis Championship to be held in Bintulu from Feb 14 to 17.- www.theborneopost.com
