PSNS President’s Trophy QF: Liyen Gatecrashes Semi-Finals in Seremban

Teoh Liyen caused yet another upset as her incredible run at the PSNS President’s Trophy continues, knocking out a higher-ranked player for the third consecutive round, to move into the semi-finals of the Challenger 5 level tournament.

The event is being played with domestic restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, meaning only those currently based in Malaysia have been permitted to participate.

Liyen, the World No.404, came into the tournament unseeded, and after getting the better of Chen You Ng in four games in the opening round, she then defeated No.4 seed Maisara Azlan to move into the last eight of the competition.

In the quarter finals, she came up against No.7 seed Yu Jie, and once again, the 19-year-old was able to come through it unscathed, winning in straight games to join the top three seeds in the semis. Liyen will face No.2 seed Ooi Kah Yan in Saturday’s semi-finals, while top seed Chan Yiwen will do battle with No.3 seed Yee Xin Yang, all of whom won in three on Friday afternoon in Seremban.

There were no surprises in the men’s quarter finals, with the top four seeds all making it into the semis of the Challenger 5 level competition, but it was not all plain sailing, as No.3 seed Elvinn Keo had to fight to win his match against Harith Danial in five.

The unseeded Danial, who had gotten the better of No.5 seed Duncan lee to make it into the last eight, fought back after going two games down to level the match at 2-2, and he had the momentum going into the decider. Keo was able to regroup, though, and won the fifth 11-8 to move through to the last four of the tournament.

He will now face No.2 seed Ong Sai Hung in the semi-finals, while top seed Darren Rahul Pragasam and No.4 seed Wee Ming Hock, both of whom came through their respective quarter final contests in four games, will do battle in the other match in the last four on Saturday.

The semi-finals of the PSNS President’s Trophy will take place on Saturday, February 26 at the Royal Seri Menanti Golf & Country Club, with places in the finals being decided.

Men’s Quarter Final Results: PSNS President’s Trophy
[2] Ong Sai Hung (MAS) bt [6] Hafiz Zhafri (MAS) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-3 (35m)
[3] Elvinn Keo (MAS) bt Harith Danial (MAS) 3-2: 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8 (43m)
[4] Wee Ming Hock (MAS) bt Joachim Chuah (MAS) 3-1: 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5 (43m)
[1] Darren Rahul Pragasam (MAS) bt [8] Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) 3-1: 13-11, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9 (54m)

Men’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, February 26
[2] Ong Sai Hung (MAS) v [3] Elvinn Keo (MAS)
[4] Wee Ming Hock (MAS) v [1] Darren Rahul Pragasam (MAS)

Women’s Quarter Final Results: PSNS President’s Trophy
[1] Chan Yiwen (MAS) bt [5] Sehveetrraa Kumar (MAS) 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-9 (20m)
[3] Yee Xin Yang (MAS) bt [6] Thanusaa Uthrian (MAS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (22m)
Teoh Liyen (MAS) bt [7] Yu Jie (MAS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (22m)
[2] Ooi Kah Yan (MAS) bt Heng Wai Wong (MAS) 3-0: 11-9, 11-4, 11-8 (24m)

Women’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, February 26
[1] Chan Yiwen (MAS) v [3] Yee Xin Yang (MAS)
Teoh Liyen (MAS) v [2] Ooi Kah Yan (MAS)