Aslina leads Sarawak to women tennis gold

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The women’s team champions (from left) Tan Lin Xin, Aslina Chua, Belinda Chai, Linda Liong and Alia Azman. — Photo by Chimon Upon.

The women’s team champions (from left) Tan Lin Xin, Aslina Chua, Belinda Chai, Linda Liong and Alia
Azman. — Photo by Chimon Upon.

Favourite for the singles title Aslina Chua in action yesterday.

Favourite for the singles title Aslina Chua in action yesterday.

KUCHING: Sarawak women’s team beatTerengganu 2-1 to win the state’s first gold medal at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) centre yesterday.

They had to fight from a point down after Uma Nayar delivered Terengganu’s firstsingles by demolishing Tan Lin Xin 6-1, 6-0.

The hosts came back strongly to equalize through Aslina Chua who outplayed Sara Nayar 6-1, 6-0 in the second singles.

Bel inda Chai and Linda Liong then combined to secured the gold for the hosts when they downed Ainin Sa’Udah Usop and Liza Nurhanani 6-1, 6-0.

Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA)president Dato Patrick Liew hoped that the victory would “boost the morale and confi dence of the players in the (upcoming) individual events.”

The singles, doubles and mixed doubles for the individual competition starts today (July 26).

Sarawak are banking on Aslina to win thewomen’s singles gold and Low Zhe Han toclinch the men’s singles title. The women’s doubles pair of Belinda Chai and Linda Liong are also strong contenders for the women’s doubles gold.

Meanwhile, in the men’ team event Selangor won the men’s team event after beating Negeri Sembilan. Perlis and the Federal Territory are joint third, shutting out defending champion Sarawak. — by Daryll Law