Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman’s hope of winning her maiden European Bowling Tour (EBT) title was dashed when she crashed out in the semi-finals of the Brunswick Madrid Challenge on Sunday.
The national bowler, who finished third in the EBT Masters just a few days ago, could not maintain her momentum, going down 247-201 to former European Youth champion, William Svensson of Sweden.
Earlier, the Thailand Open champion had qualified for the last 32, when she came in sixth after reeling in a six-game total of 1,337 pinfalls.
In the first match play, Siti Safiyah saw off compatriot and newly crowned EBT Masters champion, Sin Li Jane 2-1 (184-252, 206-189, 218-200), before going on to defeat Venezuela’s Ildemaro Ruiz Jr 2-0 (211-168, 217-183) and Mark Jacobs of the Netherlands 2-1 (208-209, 227-196, 209-199).
Despite the defeat, Siti Safiyah is still pleased with her overall performance in Spain.
She made the Finals through the “desperado” squad — a one-game roll off for those who want to make a last attempt after failing to make the initial cut.
The Malaysian was also the best women’s finisher in the 183-player competition.
“I’ll take this fourth place because I fought my way from being eliminated in the qualifying rounds to reaching the semi-finals,” said Siti Safiyah, who pocketed €1,500 (RM7,000).
“I have now finished top three in all the EBT events that I competed in this year.
“In the Brunswick Euro Challenge (Munich), I was the third highest finisher among the women, and finished ninth overall.
“I’ll keep trying to win my first EBT title, and I’ll do it one day,” she added.
National backup bowlers Nerosha Keligit and Hafiz Zainuddin came in 11th and 12th respectively.
The other Malaysian finalists were world champion Tun Ameerul Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam (18th), Li Jane (20th), Timmy Tan (31st), Natasha Roslan (32nd), Rafiq Ismail (37th), Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek (38th), Esther Cheah (40th), Shalin Zulkifli (41st) and Ahmad Muaz Fishol (44th).