Malaysia Bidding For Asian Teams Double

Hosts Malaysia are on course for the double at the Asian Team Championships after both men's and women's teams stormed into the final.

The women's team were always looking comfortable despite an off-day by Rachel Arnold as they blew past Japan 2/1 at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil on day four.

Teenager Aifa Azman, who reached a career high No 36 in the world this month, was just a class above as she romped past Risa Sugimoto 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 in a 2-1-3 order of play.

Japan however struck back with Satomi Watanabe running the show to beat Rachel 11-5, 11-2, 11-4.

But Malaysia always had it under control and Ainaa Amani proved too strong for Rafu Takahashi in an 11-3, 11-2, 11-5 win.

"There was definitely some pressure as the team was counting on me to deliver," said Ainaa.

"But I prepared well and I went out there feeling confident and just played my squash.

"It's definitely a good feeling delivering the winning point and it's also good to live up to the team's expectations by getting us into the final."

With the women's team safely through, the men's team also stepped up by blanking Japan 2/0 in their semi-final.

Ivan Yuen delivered the first point with a convincing 11-3, 11-9, 11-7 win over Tomotaka Endo.

World No 18 Ng Eain Yow (pictured above) then sealed the win with an imperious performance to down Ryosei Kobayashi 11-4, 11-2, 11-1.

The dead rubber between Addeen Idrakie and Ryunosuke Tsukue was not played.

"I think my preparation today was really good and both me and Ivan really stepped up because we knew Japan's No 3 is really strong.

"We saw him played well to beat Pakistan's No 3 on Thursday and we didn't want to take a chance.

"But with that said, I always believed the team was capable to deliver and with less pressure on me, I played some of best squash this week.

"Our first target was always to reach the final and now I don't see why we can't take the title as well.

"Our performance this week has put us in a good position for the final and it's always nice to finish our matches early to get some extra rest," added Eain Yow.

The second-seeded men's team, three times champions, will take on top seeds India for the title - a title India will be looking to win for the first time!

India stepped it up when it mattered as they outplayed title-holders Hong Kong 2/0 in the other semi-final.

World No 40 Ramit Tandon gave India the lead by beating world No 62 Henry Leung 4-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-5.

The in-form world No 15 Saurav Ghosal, still fresh from winning the Malaysian Open last week, then sealed the win by beating Yip Tsz Fung 10-12, 11-6, 11-6, 15-13.

The women's event will see Malaysia take on Hong Kong for the title.

Defending champions Hong Kong showed that they have better depth by edging India 2/1 in the semi-finals.

Ho Tze Lok had given Hong Kong the lead when she came from a game down to beat Sunayna Kuruvilla 9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8.

World No 12 Joshna Chinappa however levelled for India by beating Liu Tsz Ling 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 in the first string.

In the deciding rubber, the more experienced Tong Tsz Wing was just too good for Urwashi Joshi as she clinched a 12-10, 11-4, 11-6 win.

For the record, Malaysia have not bagged the double at the Asian Teams since the 2006 and 2008 edition where both teams took the title twice in a row.