KUCHING: Sarawak won their first silver medal in the women’s double finals of the tennis tournament at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) today.
The home team represented by Soo Hui Yii and Lydia Liong, put up a strong fight but ultimately got outmatched by Selangor who claimed the gold through Saw Jo Leen and Sharifah Elsa Wan Abdul Rahman.
In a closely contested match, Selangor dominated both sets, winning 6-4 in each, which led them to a decisive 2-0 victory over the Sarawak team.
Another duo from Selangor, Zooey Mak and Chloe Chong won the bronze medal in the women’s double match.
Meanwhile, after the match, Soo, 19 and Liong, 20, expressed satisfaction with their performance.
“I think we did great. We didn’t play under pressure and just focused on doing our best. That’s what we did,” she said.
Liong echoed her partner’s sentiments: “We left the courts with no regrets. We tried our hardest. It wasn’t enough, but at least we had fun on the court.”
As for their future in the next SUKMA, Soo is aiming for gold in the next edition.
“I’m 19, so I have one more SUKMA to go. I hope to get gold next time. I’ve already won two silvers,” she said.
Soo said in the last Games, she secured silver in mixed doubles.
Liong, however, will not be participating in the next SUKMA as she has passed the age limit.
“I’m 20 this year, so I will be an ‘expired’ SUKMA player by then,” she quipped.
She also said this was her first medal after losing in the semi-finals during the previous Games.
Exiting the court with a positive outlook, both players are now getting ready to return to the United States for their studies.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Transport and SUKMA Sarawak assistant chef-de-mission for tennis Datuk Henry Harry Jinep and Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) president Datuk Patrick Liew were present to hand over the medals to the winners in a simple prize-giving ceremony.
Later this afternoon, there is chance for Sarawak to win the gold medal in the mixed doubles match as Lydia Liong and Hii Shieng Wee will face Perak’s Mitsuki Leong and Shihomi Leong in the finals.
