Pemain perseorangan lelaki negara, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, menjulang kejuaraan pertamanya tahun ini apabila menepis cabaran rakan senegara, Leong Jun Hao, dalam aksi straight set untuk muncul juara Cabaran Antarabangsa Malaysia di Pasir Gudang, Johor, sebentar tadi.
Kemaraan kedua-dua pemain negara ke pentas akhir cukup mengujakan setelah masing-masing melalui jalan berliku, termasuk berdepan lawan hebat seperti Yu Igarashi dan Nguyen Tien Minh.
Iskandar yang diletak selaku pilihan keenam, dilihat memimpin permainan tatkala lawannya yang diramal pengganti Datuk Lee Chong Wei, lambat menyesuaikan diri.
Dengan corak permainan pantas, Iskandar tidak memberi ruang kepada Jun Hao dengan anak jati Kuala Lumpur ini menang mudah set pertama 21-11.
Terbit harapan untuk Jun Hao bangkit pada set kedua, namun gagal untuk mengetepikan persembahan cemerlang Iskandar.
Hasilnya, skrip sama sekali lagi dicetak Iskandar, kali ini menerusi kemenangan 21-13, sekaligus dinobat juara dalam tempoh 30 minit.
Kemenangan itu melonjakkan motivasi buat Iskandar selepas gagal dalam Sukan SEA Kuala Lumpur, Ogos lalu.
Penulis Jemputan
Sun Nov 19 2017
Andy Murray to miss tournaments in Monte Carlo and Munich due to ankle issue
It is also uncertain when the Scot will be back on court.
'Kobe would be proud' – Murray the star as Hawks down Celtics again
Hawks hero Murray shouts out Bryant
Football rumours: Manchester United join the pursuit of Dani Olmo
Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham are also tracking the Spain winger.
England Women wrap up 4-1 series victory in New Zealand
Nat Sciver-Brunt starred with bat and ball.
Mental willpower is so crucial, says Marin after All-England, Swiss Open success
Carolina Marin, a recent double champion on the World Tour emphasized the importance of creating a powerful mental weapon as she looks to hunt another Olympic gold after missing the last one through injury.
On this day in 2012: England appoint Stuart Lancaster as head coach
Lancaster was put in charge after impressing during an interim stint.
NBA: Murray scores 44, hits late winner in OT to lift Hawks over Celtics
Dejounte Murray capped his 44-point effort with the winning jumper with 1 second left in OT as the Hawks beat the Celtics again
Grigor Dimitrov dumps Carlos Alcaraz out of Miami Open
The Bulgarian will play fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.
Uli Hoeness says ‘probably impossible’ to lure Xabi Alonso from Bayer in summer
Liverpool and Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in the Spaniard’s services.
Willie Kirk sacked as Leicester boss after position became ‘untenable’
Jennifer Foster and Stephen Kirby will remain in charge until a successor is appointed.