Easier said than done, but Malaysia is four wins away from setting up all-Malaysian finals in both the men’s and women’s events at the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

Ong Beng Hee is focused. (photo © 2002 Debra Tessier)

Today in the men’s event, Ong Beng Hee cruised through his quarter-final match, moving another step closer to the gold medal that he should have won four years earlier. Unlike the quarters in Bangkok 98’, he made virtually no mistakes this time around in Busan, easily defeating the overmatched Kuwaiti #1Faisal Sarkhouh 9-4, 9-1, 9-0 in 33 minutes. His opponent in tomorrow’s semi-final is Pakistan #2 Shahid Zaman, who today played to his potential in dismissing experienced Hong Kong #1 Abdul Faheem Khan 9-2, 10-9, 9-4 in 36 minutes.

Mohd Azlan Iksander withstood strong challenge from India’s #1 Ritwit Bhattacharya who came from 2-0 down, but couldn’t sustain the effort in the fifth. Iksander took the match 10-9, 9-6, 4-9, 5-9, 9-3 in 90 minutes. Iksander admitted that he should have wrapped things up much earlier.

“I got a bit bored and lost focus in the middle games”, Iksander said, “and I can’t afford to play like that tomorrow”. He will face Mansoor Zaman in the second semi. Zaman fought off three game balls in the first, and subsequently eased through his match with Hong Kong #2 Hong Wai Hang, winning 10-9, 9-4, 9-1 in exactly one hour. Iksander and Zaman last faced one another at this year’s Asian championships, a match in which Iksander blew a two game to love and 7-3 in the third lead. With Zaman playing steady squash, Iksander must remain focused if he wants to do his part in completing the all Malaysian final.

The biggest crowd of the day gathered to watch hometown favorite come hero Lee Hae Kyung. She did not disappoint, as she guaranteed Korea its’ first ever Asian Games squash medal with a comprehensive 9-6, 9-2, 9-1 win over India’s #1 Keeisara Vaidehi in 35 minutes. For Korean squash, this was an historical victory as the medal ensures that squash receives much needed funding from the country’s national sports governing body. The chances of moving on to the gold medal match are remote at best, however, as she faces defending Asian Games champion Nicol David. David barely got out of first gear today in her 9-5, 9-6, 9-1 win over Christina Mak.

Malaysia’s other medal contender Sharon Wee wasted little time booking her spot in the other semi, easily besting 17 year old Indian #2 Chinappa Joshna 9-1, 9-1, 9-6. She will meet rival and Games #2 seed Rebecca Chiu of Hong Kong, who brushed aside Nishio Mami of Japan, despite the boisterous flag-waving Japanese contingent on hand.

Complete Results:
Men’s
Ong Beng Hee 3 Faisal Sarkhouh 0 : 9-4, 9-1, 9-0
Shahid Zaman 3 Abdul Faheem Khan 0 : 9-2, 10-9, 9-4
Mohd Azlan Iksander 3 Ritwik Battacharya 2 : 10-9, 9-6, 4-9, 5-9, 9-3
Monsoor Zaman 3 Wong Wai Hang 0 : 10-9, 9-4, 9-1

Women’s
Nicol David 3 Christina Mak 0 : 9-5, 9-6, 9-1
Lee Hae Kyung 3 Keeisara Vaidehi 0 : 9-6, 9-2, 9-1
Sharon Wee 3 Chinappa Joshna 0 : 9-1, 9-1, 9-6
Rebecca Chiu 3 Nishio Mami 0