Beleagured doubles shuttlers Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif received another blow yesterday as they were shown the exit in the semi-final of the 2009 National Grand Prix Finals at the Bandaraya Stadium here.

And it did not bode well for Fairuzizuan-Zakry’s hope of earning a place in the team for the Thomas Cup Finals when they lost to former national pair Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah 7-21, 21-17, 12-21.

Tan Fook-Wan Wah started the first game at a fast pace to leave Fairuzizuan-Zakry scrambling to get their rhythm.

But in the second game, Fairuzizuan-Zakry showed a glimmer of their fine form to win 21-17 to force a rubber game.

But the pair succumbed to pressure from the more experienced Tan Fook-Wan Wah combination losing 12-21 to blow away their chances of making their first appearance in the final of a National GP meet.

Great work: Tan Fook-Wan Wah overcame Fairuzizuan-Zakry in the semi-finals of the National Grand Prix Finals at the Bandaraya Stadium in Johor Baru Saturday. — ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG / The Star

Tan Fook-Wan Wah will face Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong who had earlier defeated Goh Wei Shem-Vountus Indra Mawan 21-19, 21-15 in the other semi-final.

Meanwhile, world No.1 Lee Chong Wei, steamrolled his sparring partner Chan Kwong Beng in the men’s singles semi-final with an emphatic 21-10, 21-7 win.

“However, the scoreline didn’t really reflect Kwong Beng’s effort in the match as he did go for every shot thrown at him,” said Chong Wei.

“He really had good fighting spirit and that augurs well for him. However, he was a bit reserved in executing his shots compared to what he does during our training sessions and that probably was his setback.”

Chong Wei will face back-up shuttler Kuan Beng Hong who defeated Tan Chun Seang 17-21, 21-10, 21-8 in a highly charged semi-final.

After taking the first game in style, Chun Seang lost his focus in the second to give plenty of room for Beng Hong to rake easy points for a 21-10 win.

Then in the rubber, Chun Seang caused a stir when he twice disputed the line judge’s calls. Chun Seang was all riled up when he claimed the shuttlecock was out but it was called in by the line judge.

His game then went haywire after that and Beng Hong walked off an easy winner at 21-8.

“After the dispute, my mind was badly affected and I lose my focus immediately. I tried to regain my concentration but it was too late,” said Chun Seang.

Beng Hong, meanwhile attributed his loss in the first game to a lack of confidence.

“When he took point after point from me, I lost my confidence in the game.

But in the second game I calmed down and changed my strategy and it worked,” said Beng Hong.

In the women’s singles semi-finals, Lydia Cheah pulled a narrow victory over her younger sister Sonia to win 22-20, 21-18 in 30 minutes.

Sonia managed to trail Lydia closely in both games but eventually inexperience hampered her hopes to even nick a game.

Lydia will face Tee Jing Yi in the final after the latter defeated Yang Li Lian 21-19, 21-13 in the other semi-final.

Malaysia’s top women pair Chin Ee Hui-Wong Pei Tty had no problems downing Goh Liu Ying-Nairul Shuhada Abdul Latif 21-16, 21-9 to advance to today’s final.

The national No. 1 pair will face Lim Yee Theng-Ng Soo Mui, who defeated LimYee Theng-Ng Soo Mui 21-14, 21-16 in the other last-four match.

Courtesy of The Star