Kuching retain Inter-Division tennis crown

Favourites Kuching A made a successful defence of its crown at the Sarawak Inter-Division Tennis Championship when they beat Persatuan Tenis Bumiputera Sarawak (PTBS) B 4-1 in the final at Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) centre recently. In a repeat of last year’s final, Augustine Chang of Kuching A lost 2-6, 4-6 to Razmee Rawi in the first singles. Recently crowned Kuching Closed singles champion Kenneth Tan restored parity when he defeated Mohamad Norhairi Khaider 6-3, 6-4 in the second singles. Alvin Teng followed up with a 7-6, 4-4 (retired) win over Shuari Zawawi in the third singles while Kelvin Chong and Gregory Tan defeated Wahi Sahmad-Muhammad Zaki Pauzi 7-5, 6-3 in the first doubles for Kuching A’s third point. Captain Shawn Lee and Gilbert Yeo wrapped up the victory for Kuching A when they overcame the pair of Amin Tamel and Zainoren Alek 6-1, 6-2 in the second doubles.Bintulu made a winning comeback to the state tennis scene when they beat defending champion Kapit 4-1 in the losers’ pool. Liong Woei Hua gave Bintulu their first point when he beat Arthur Ling 6-2, 6-1 in the first singles, followed by Jonaes Townsend who overcame Wong Teck Kwong 6-2, 6-3 in the second singles while Mohamad Razif Osman downed Glyn Changai 6-3, 4-4 (retired) in the third singles. In the first doubles, the pair of Jonaes-Razif beat Patrick Alexius Uda-Sng Chee Hun 6-2, 6-1. Mohamd Al-Fitri Panyau and Joseph Arthur Taboh gave Kapit the consolation point by beating Muamar Quaadafi Abdul Razak and Mudahasi Shaimi 7-6 (4), 6-0 in the second doubles. More than 60 players representing ten teams took part in the two-day championship organised by SLTA. SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew gave away the prizes to the winners. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated Sarawak Closed will commence today with eight players vying for the singles title and five teams are involved in the tussle for the doubles crown. The men’s singles quarterfinal matches are between Riccoh Soh and Kenneth Tan, Gregory Tan and Razmee Rawi, Muhamad Zaki Pauzi and Mohamad Norhairi Khaider; and Alvin Teng versus Rohizat Achop. In the men’s doubles, the pairs of Zaki-Norhairi, Gregory-Riccoh, Augustine-Razmee have received byes in the first round while Kenneth-Alvin will play Amran-Zal Bujang for a berth in the next round.- www.theborneopost.com