By SHAMSHUL FITRI

It will be a duel between the master and the apprentice when Lee Chong Wei faces Chan Kwong Beng in the men’s singles semi-finals of the 2009 National Grand Prix Finals at the Bandaraya Stadium here today.

Although the money will be on Chong Wei, his sparring partner Kwong Beng is determined to give it a real go.

“I know that I don’t stand a chance of even nicking a set from him, but I will try my best to stretch the match longer and go for every ball,” said Kwong Beng yesterday.

“I train and spar with him week in, week out. And I can say that I won’t be overwhelmed by him when I step onto the court tomorrow (today).”

Kwong Beng: ‘I won’t be overwhelmed by him (Chong Wei) when I step onto the court.’

Kwong Beng made it to the semi-finals after disposing of Liew Daren 21-16, 22-20 to top Group C.

Chong Wei, meanwhile, had no problems brushing aside Mohd Arif Abdul Latif 21-9, 21-17 in Group A in 25 minutes.

The other semi-final will see Tan Chun Seang taking on Kuan Beng Hong.

Chun Seang beat Lim Fang Yang 21-11, 21-17 in Group B while Beng Hong ousted Mohd Roslin Hashim 21-12, 21-11 in Group D.

Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif proved their critics wrong to emerge as Group B winners in the men’s doubles event when they defeated former national pair Chan Choong Ming-Chew Choon Eng 21-11, 21-15 in 25 minutes.

Fairuzizuan-Zakry, who had come under fire after their first-round exit in the Malaysian Open last month, will come up against another former national pair of Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah in today’s semi-finals.

Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong will face off against Goh Wei Shem-Vontus Indra Mawan in the other semi-final.

In the women’s singles, the Cheah sisters of Lydia and Sonia will put family ties aside in today’s semi-finals.

Yesterday, elder sister Lydia stormed past Ooi Swee Wenn 21-11, 21-6 to claim the top spot in Group A while Sonia lost to Tee Jing Yee 13-21, 18-21 to finish second in Group B.

Jing Yee and Yang Li Lian will square off in the other semi-final.

Courtesy of The Star