Top seed bags first international title
17th July, Hong Kong: Top seed, Shayna Ng of Singapore bagged her first international title after easily defeating challenger, Zoe Tam Shun Yee of Hong Kong in the Women's Open Masters title match of the 37th Hong Kong International Open on Sunday. Shayna Ng shot 268 and 290 in her two final games of the second round finals to edge team-mate and front runner, Cherie Tan by 11 pins to claim top seed for the stepladder finals with 2254.
Cherie settled for second spot with 2243 followed by a third Singaporean, Geraldine Ng, who snatched third spot with 2226 after firing two big games of 289 in the sixth game and 267 in her final game.
Hong Kong's ex-national, Joey Yip and national youth, Zoe Tam Shun Yee made the stepladder finals in fourth and fifth positions with 2154 and 2145 while the fourth Singaporean, Jazreel Tan squeezed in sixth with 2141.
Jazreel lost the first match to Zoe, 217-245 as Joey downed only 178. In the second match against Cherie and Geraldine, the No. 5 seed was equally impressive taking the match 222-180-196 to face Shayna.
Shayna Ng capturing her first-ever title
But her fine run was put to rest when Shayna cruised to a comfortable victory over the Hong Kong national, 227-158 to bag her first-ever international title."I knew that as a top seed, I would have two matches to beat my opponent so I just went all out and took my chances," said the 21-year-old Shayna, who won the Singles silver and Trios gold medal at the Guangzhou Asian Games last year.
"And seeing Zoe beat three of my team-mates, I was even more determined not to let her beat me as well.
"I've been close on many occasions but have always ended up second or third. I'm glad I've finally landed my first international title. The victory would boost my chances of getting selected for this year's World Women Championship which will be held here."
Shayna won HK$26,000 (approx. US$3,360) while Zoe Tam settled for HK$14,000. Cherie Tan, who dropped to third after the stepladder finals, took home HK$7,000.
Meanwhile, American PBA pro and top seed, Robert Smith narrowly defeated challenger and No. 3 seed, Shaker Al Hassan of UAE, 216-208 to capture his second Asian title. His first was the Euromed-Storm Masters in February.
No. 4 seed, Sayed Al Hashemi narrowly defeated two Hong Kong nationals, Eric Tseng and Michael Tsang, 223-222-200 in the Men's Open first stepladder match.
Shaker cruised into the finals with an easy victory over No. 2 seed, Annop Arromsaranon of Thailand and winner of the first match and compatriot, Sayed 220-156-158 in the second match.
Smith pocketted HK$55,000 (approx. US$7,000) for the win while Shaker settled for HK$22,000 (approx. US$2,830) and Annop HK$14,000 (approx. US$1,800).
The champion ended the Round 2 finals with a total of 2229, 22 pins ahead of Annop in second with 2207. Shaker finished third with 2192 followed by Sayed fourth with 2183. Eric and Michael made the stepladder finals in fifth and sixth positions with 2167 and 2139.
Detailed scores: Women's Open Stepladder | Men's Open Stepladder | Photo Album.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.