Sarawak women’s team with head coach Thomas Tay (left, back row) and his assistants. Alice is standing at centre while Karen is at second right.
KUCHING: Alice Chang Li Sian continued her good run in the women’s singles competition of the 52nd Malaysia Table Tennis Championships at Dewan Chung Hwa, Mentakab, Pahang yesterday when she ousted an older opponent in the semi-finals.
Alice, 15, who recently received a call-up to join the national junior back-up squad, demolished 25-year old Ting Hie Phin, another Sarawakian and former national player who is playing for Selangor, 4-0 (11-6, 11-2, 11-5, 11-9) in the last four.
Her opponent in today’s final is current national paddler Ng Sock Khim from Kedah.
Alice made it to the semi-finals after defeating Ho Ying of Johor 3-1 (10-12, 11-7, 12-10, 11-8)in the quarterfinals.
Her teammate Karen Lyne Dick from Sibu was not so fortunate as she lost to Hie Phin 1-3 (12-14, 7-11, 14-12, 3-11) in the last eight yesterday morning.
However, the Sarawak duo (Alice and Karen) have advanced to the women’s doubles final after seeing off the challenge from Johor’s Ho Ying and Tee Ai Xin 3-0 (11-8, 15-13, 11-9) in the semi-finals.
Alice and Karen will play the Selangor pair of Ting Hie Phin and Amanda Wong in today’s final.
So far, the Sarawak team, which comprised five male and five female players, have won the bronze in the Men’s Team and Women’s Team events.