IT’S all about keeping a cool head for Liew Daren who will play in the semi-finals of the Indonesian Masters today.
The national No 3, who has been dropped from the Asian Games squad due to his poor performance, defeated India’s B. Sai Praneeth 21-15, 21-16 in the quarter-finals yesterday.
Daren admitted that he has been feeling down since last month’s Commonwealth Games disappointment but his good run in Palembang has somewhat lifted his spirits.
“My match against Praneeth was not as I had expected it to be. I guess he was tired from his tie last night (Thursday) and that made it easier for me.
“I have not gotten my touch back completely, but I must say it has been improving, I did not really know what to expect after the Commonwealth Games disappointment,” said Daren when contacted in Indonesia.
The 27-year-old will take on another Indian player in H.S. Prannoy in the semi-final today.
“I must be wary as he had defeated me in our last encounter, and it’s about controlling my nerves.”
Former World Junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli is also through to the next round following his 21-19, 21-12 win over Indonesia’s Ivanuddin Rifan Fauzin in the quarter-finals.
The 11th seeded Malaysian will play another Indonesian Firman Abdul Kholik today.
Women’s doubles Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean booked their semi-finals spot after upsetting second seeds Olga Golovanova-Viktoriia Vorobeva of Russia 21-13, 21-4 yesterday.
The Malaysian pair will take on fourth seeds Keshya Nurvita Hanadia-Devi Tika Permatasari of Indonesia next.
Meanwhile in the Malaysia International Under-19 Championships in Kota Kinabalu yesterday, Junior shuttler Cheam June Wei cruised into the semi-finals.
The top seed defeated South Korea’s Lee Jun Su 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 and will play fellow Malaysian Muhammad Iqram Muala Azman today.
Second seed R. Satheishtharan is also through to the semi-finals following his 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 victory over compatriot Chin Wai Kin. Satheishtharan will face South Korea’s Seo Seung Jae today.
Ho Yen Mei, will be Malaysia’s sole representative in the women’s singles event. The sixth seed is up against fourth seed Yeo Jiamin of Singapore today.