Hong Kong Secured 4 Medals in Hong Kong Open
Ng Ka Long, Hu Yun and Cheung Ngan Yi reach to Men’s and Women’s Singles top 4 today (Nov 25) in YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2016. Together with the Mix Doubles pair Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Yuet who gets into top 4 early this afternoon, Hong Kong has secured 3 medals and achieved the best result in this MetLife BWF World Superseries.
Ng Ka Long is facing Ajay Jayaram of India. They played against each other twice. Ng won both of the matches. Ng plays very actively and win the first game by 21:15. The second game, Ajay has a great come back and tie the points to 14: 14. Ng takes 7 points in a row and finished the match by 21: 14. He will play against Hu Yun for a place of the final. Hu eliminated Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia by 22:20 and 21: 12.
Ng Ka Long didn’t expect to get that far. He said, ‘I didn’t expect to enter top 4. Ajay is a strong player. I feel so relief after the victory. I watched video of him and studied his tactics. He made quite a lot of mistakes. I can decide my defending strategy early.’
Last year, Ng gained his fame by beating Lin Dan and this year he has promoted to top 4. He said, ‘ Last year’s victory was a big issue and I was lost. After a year, I can handle it a lot better. This is my 4th time got into top 4. I don’t want to just stop there.’
Hong Kong’s top Women’s Singles player Cheung Ngan Yi took the first game by 21: 8 over World No. 11 player Saina Nehwal. The Indian player took back the second game by 21:18. Cheung has a good start leading 18:11 in the third game, even Saina chase back with only 1 point difference, Cheung finally nailed it by 21:19.
Cheung Ngan Yi said, ‘ I would like to thank all the fans here. I played very hard with Saina after she tie the game. In the third game, I have doubt on myself. Luckily the fans cheering for me and gave me a lot of confidence. Moreover, Saina should have more pressure than me, I can perform as usual.’
The other Mixed Doubles pair, Chau Hoi Wah/ Lee Chun Hei was not able to follow Tang/Tse’s steps to the semi- finals. They lost their match by 21:17, 20: 22 and 14: 21.
Hong Kong Head Coach He Yiming is satisfied about the player’s performance. ‘ Tang/ Tse was playing very well. I hope they can keep their confidence as they inexperience players. You can see it’s a bit chaos when the opponent tie the points even they were leading 14:10. I will analyze with them tonight and hope they can go further.’ Ho also added it’s a pity that Lee and Chau couldn’t hold on to their advantage in game and enter the semi-finals.
YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2016 will start the semi finals at 12 noon tomorrow at Hong Kong Coliseum. The finals will be held on Sunday, November 27. Tickets are now available for sale at the URBTIX website (www.urbtix.hk). For more information, please call the ticketing enquiry hotline at 3761 6661.