SOUTH KOREA SWEEP ALL TITLES AT STAKE TO EMERGE CHAMPION IN ATF U-14 C'SHIPS

MELAKA, May 3 (Bernama) -- South Korea proved its dominance in the Asian teen tennis championships when it swept all the category titles on the final day of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Under-14 (U-14) International Championship at the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) Tennis Complex, here today.

South Korea’s four titles came through success in the men's and women's singles categories as well as men's and women's doubles.

In the men's singles final, Suh Yoonjae defeated compatriot Kwon Minchan 7-6, 6-2 in one hour and 25 minutes, while Lim YeonKyung won the women's category after brushing aside Britain's Lau Calista 6-1, 6-2.

The men's doubles saw the pairing of Suh Yoonjae and Kwon Minchan continue to excel as they defeated Hong Kong's Wong Him-Chan Chun Yiu 6-4, 6-7, 16-14.

The women's doubles title also belonged to South Korea as Lim YeonKyung-Hwang Bitna defeated compatriots Son Hai-Kim Yeyul 6-3, 6-0.

The tournament, which has been going on since April 28, attracted the participation of various countries including South Korea, Britain and Singapore with 20 athletes representing Malaysia, including four from Melaka.

Meanwhile, Malaysian teenager Audrey Teng Wen Si made Malaysia proud when she clinched third place in the women's singles event after defeating South Korea's Han Jiwoo.

Melaka Lawn Tennis Association (MLTA) president Muhammad Shahrul Hafidz Abd Rahim said Audrey's achievements proved that the country's players are capable of competing at the international level.

"We are proud of Audrey who was the country's second choice and managed to advance to the semi-finals despite facing a very competitive South Korean player. South Korea sent only 14 players aged between 11 and 12 years old but managed to dominate all categories. This teaches us about the importance of developing the sport of tennis from a young age," he said.

He said this after the closing ceremony of the tournament officiated by Melaka National Sports Council (MSN) Director Mohd Asri Ninggal.

He said MLTA would continue to organise international standard tournaments including the ATF Under 16 which is scheduled to take place next month at the same venue.

--BERNAMA