Chennai
For Tushar, it was a big ask to wear down the sprightly second seed Chung Yat Long (Hong Kong). But the Indian did not buckle, in fact played with loads of confidence and promise. A minor lapse here and there made the big difference, but the test was mostly in the forecourt. Chung had the better of exchanges towards the end stages of the two games yet in the third game, the complexion turned around. The way Tushar had the Hong Kong player running all around and grab that game gave a flicker of hope of an extended contest. But showing clear signs of tiring, the Indian conceded the lead early in the fourth game and lost his way.
In comparison, both Yuvraj and Arnav were fluent in their victories. Both now await opponents from Pakistan in the title match and that should be interesting. Pakistani players have been making good headway here. The pick was Abbas Zeb, the bearded young talent in the U-19 section. To him went the distinction of causing the biggest upset of the day when he beat the top seed, Siow Yee Xian of Malaysia in a match of intense competition and fluctuating fortunes. Anyone of the two could have won, but as it happened the flow of play favoured Zeb. No Indians feature in the girls section.
Results: Semi-finals:
Boys: U-19: Abbas Zeb (PAK) bt Siow Yee Xian (MAS) 10-12 11-8 4-11 11-4 11-6; Chung Yat Long (HKG) bt Tushar Shahani (IND) 11-8 11-7 8-11 11-3; U-15: Mohammad Hamza Khan (PAK) bt Andrik Lim Kai Shan (MAS) 11-6 7-11 11-1 11-2; Arnav Sareen (IND) bt Joachim Chuah Han Wen (MAS) 11-6 11-7 11-6; U-13: Yuvraj Wadhwani (IND) bt Sze Jun Him (HKG) 11-1 11-6 11-8
Girls: U-19: Lai Wen Li (MAS) bt Ooi Kah Yan (MAS) 11-8 11-9 10-12 11-5; Chan Yiwen (MAS) bt Cheng Nga Ching (HKG) 11-3 11-4 11-4; U-17: Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) bt Fung Ching Hei (HKG) 11-5 11-5 11-7; Jessica Keng Jia Hui (MAS) bt Sanya Vats (IND) 11-8 7-11 11-8 11-7
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