Mohd Assri Merzuki
KUCHING: It was a disappointing day at the 19th Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup (I) – ITF Junior Circuit as all the Malaysian representatives crashed out of the first round of the Boys Singles U18 category.
Played at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) tennis centre yesterday, Malaysia’s best hope, Mohd Assri Merzuki went down to Jacob Grills of Australia 4-7, 7-5, 7-5.
A number of unforced errors by the 249th ranked Assri cost him his chance for the winner but the youngster can be proud of his feat as Grills was ranked 177.
It was a three-hour marathon game that could go either way.
Ahmad Deedat Abdul Razak who was ranked 558 lost to 6-1, 7-6(3) to Korea’s Kim Dukyoung.
Kim was ranked 296 and would go on to face Australian Jordan Thompson in the third round of the competition.
Meanwhile, J Mendoza of the Philippines had a tough battle with Malaysian Khoo Er Yang but finally triumph 5-7, 6-3 and 6-2.
Khoo, who is from Kuala Lumpur put up a brave fight but today was just not his day.
In another match, Norrie Cameron of New Zealand had no problem overcoming a spirited Syed Mohd Agil Syed Naguib. Cameron won 6-1, 6-2 against the Malaysian.
All seeded players will play today in the second round courtesy of a bye.
They will go on to face the winners of the first round.
Tournament top seed Nokola Milojevic will face Australia’s Daniel Guccione who beat Rishab Agarwal of India.
Guccione won 4-6, 6-2 and 6-4.
Serbian Pedja Krstin, ranked 34, will face world number 145 NBenjasupawan.
Benjasupawan beat Robert Allan 6-2, 6-3 in the first round to face the no.2 seed of the tournament.
After winning 7-5, 6-3 against Haadin Bava of India, American J Daigle will go on to face third seeded Borna Coric of Croatia. Coric is 44th in the rankings while Daigle 102nd.
The second round starts at 9am today.