Hao Sheng, Aslina wins Sukma tennis singles finals

KUCHING: It was a great achievement for Perlis' Koay Hao Sheng at his second Malaysia Games (Sukma) outing to claim the only gold medal for the state this year.

While homester, Aslina Chua (pix) retained the gold medal in the women's category for the second successive time.

Hao Sheng had to fight hard to win his first Sukma gold medal against top seed and National player Ahmed Deedat Razak of Selangor.

The Buffalo State University's electrical engineering student took an hour and 10 minutes before emerging victorious on 6-1 and 6-3.

"I'm glad to win the match. My opponent was not fit and I have to take the chance to get the winning point.
"In the last Sukma, I only managed to reach the quarterfinals. But I had set my target to come back stronger this year," said the 18-year-old from Kangar.

At the last Sukma, he partnered Yus Syazlin Nabila Yusri to claim the mixed doubles gold medal.

Hao Sheng booked his final berth after defeating homester, Muhammad Aiman Hamdan on 6-2 and 6-0, while Ahmed Deedat had to go for a three-set match against Christian Didier Chin of Sabah before winning the match on 6-4, 2-6 and 6-2.

In the women's singles, Aslina defeated top seed Sara Alisha Nayar of Terengganu in straight sets of 6-2 and 6-1 in a match that lasted an hour an 40 minutes.

"It was a tough game actually. Sara came in with nothing to lose as I've beaten her twice before. She fought really hard because this is her first Sukma. I had just completed my doubles semifinals yesterday. I went home and had a good rest so that I could focus on today's game," she said.

In the semifinals, Aslina beat Selangor's Sharifah Elysia Wan Rahman 6-1, 6-1, while Sara beat Sharifah Elysia's sister, Sharifah Elsa 6-3, 6-4. — Bernama