Squash: Duo cruise in Penang

Korean Nyeon Ho Lee retrieves a shot against Ong Beng Hee in their match yesterday. — Picture by Ramdzan Masiam

ONG Beng Hee and Low Wee Wern opened their campaigns at the 16th PBA-Musmetro Asian Championships with impressive wins at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in George Town yesterday.
After a first-round bye, Beng Hee made short work of Nyeon Ho Lee, taking less than 25 minutes to beat the Korean 11-5, 11-4, 11-9.

The Malaysian No 2 had it easy in the first two games but the aggressive Korean fought back in the third, forcing Beng Hee into unforced errors, but the Malaysian's experience saw him through.

"Playing on this court, I have to be patient as being too aggressive one tends to get tired very fast," said Beng Hee.
Beng Hee, a native of Penang, said it was always nice to get through the first round as it always has him worried, and with the win, he can play with more confidence in his remaining matches.

The cool Wee Wern was also in winning mode, taking less than 30 minutes to outplay Japan's Chinatsu Matsui 11-7, 11-5, 11-3 in their first round match.

Wee Wern, the third-fourth seed who had defeated Chinatsu in a number of previous meetings, encountered some resistance in the first game, but in the second and third, the Malaysian proved a class above.

Wee Wern, who is also from Penang, next plays Zulhijjah Azan, who had defeated China's Gu Jinyue 11-5, 13-11, 11-9. The much fancied Joshna Chinappa of India was ousted in the opening round by Hong Kong's Liu Tsz Ling 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9.

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