SEMI-FINAL SPOTS

By Jeannette Xavier

Picture by TS Photo Team in Vientiane

Singapore's male and female paddlers are through to the semi-finals of their respective team events following convincing wins during the round-robin stage of the SEA Games competition in Laos.

Women's Team

The ladies earned an emphatic 3-0 win over the Philippines on Wednesday after wins over Laos and Vietnam a day earlier. In the tie against the Philippines, Feng Tianwei (pictured) got things moving with an easy 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 win over Beverly Villar. Sun Beibei then beat Chrisma Capistrano 11-3, 11-4, 11-3 before Zena Sim overwhelmed Henezey Aragon 11-2, 11-3, 11-3. The Singapore girls will next meet Malaysia in the semi-finals.

Men's Team

Following their 3-1 victory over the Philippines earlier in the competition, our men's team scored 3-0 wins over Cambodia and Indonesia on Wednesday. In the tie against Cambodia, Gao Ning led the way when he beat Tang Hov 11-5, 11-5, 11-4. Pang Xuejie defeated Khun Phannith 11-5, 11-3, 11-5 while Yang Zi outclassed Ngoy Buthong 11-4, 11-1, 11-3. In the tie against Indonesia, Yang Zi got the better of Muhammad Hussein 11-6, 11-7, 11-5 while Gao Ning was too strong for Ficky Supit Santoso as he won 11-2, 11-7, 11-5. Cai Xiaoli too played his part, beating Yon Mardyono 8-11, 11-4, 11-3, 12-10. The Singapore men's team will next play Vietnam in the semi-finals.