Singaporean denied victory

22nd March, K.Lumpur: Reigning Singapore national champion, Geraldine Ng was denied a victory in the Ladies' Open Masters title match of the Canon 32nd Malaysian International Open when she lost to PBA pro, Carolyn Ballard, 2-0.  In the best-of-3 games title match between Geraldine and PBA pro and fourth-seed, Carolyn Ballard of Team USA, a split the fifth frame and not being able to repeat the form she showed in the earlier matches, cost her the first game losing 186-195.

Another mistake, missing a single pin in the sixth frame of the second game, proved disasterous and although the Singapore recovered with a turkey thereafter, her opponent also fired a turkey to narrowly beat Geraldine 226-223 to take the title.

"I'm so excited and happy to win here in my first major tournament outside of the US," said the 44-year-old PBA pro bowler, Carolyn Ballard. "Of course when you take part in a a championship like this, you'd want to do well but to take this victory is even sweeter.

 

Carolyn reached the finals after she ousted Bernice Lim of Singapore, 2-1 in the second semi-final match and her fellow American and fifth-seed, Missy Bellinder, 2-1 in the earlier quarter-finals. Geraldine advanced into the semi by taking out her team-mate and topseed, Shayna Ng, 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

"Sure I'm slightly disappointed not to win but I'm glad that I've made this far and to reach the finals," said the 23-year-old reigning Singapore national champion, Geraldine Ng. "Carolyn is a very experienced bowler so I guess I'll learn from this and come back again stronger next year.

Carolyn reached the finals after she ousted Bernice Lim of Singapore, 2-1 in the second semi-final match and her fellow American and fifth-seed, Missy Bellinder, 2-1 in the earlier quarter-finals. Geraldine advanced into the semi by taking out her team-mate and topseed, Shayna Ng, 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

"Sure I'm slightly disappointed not to win but I'm glad that I've made this far and to reach the finals," said the 23-year-old reigning Singapore national champion, Geraldine Ng. "Carolyn is a very experienced bowler so I guess I'll learn from this and come back again stronger next year.

Singapore's Lee Yu-Wen also made the top 8 quarterfinals but was shown an early exit when he lost to second-seed, Kang Bo Long of Malaysia, 0-2. Kang was eventually ousted by team-mate, Zulmazran Zulkifli in the semifinals, 0-2.

Zulmazran Zulkifli became the first Malaysia to successfully defend the Men's Open Masters title when he narrowly defeated hot-favourite, Surasak Manuwong of Thailand, 2-1 in the title match.

The victory did not come easy though as Zulmazran was stretched to the third and deciding game in a best-of-3-games final match before becoming the first-ever Malaysian to retain the prestigious men's crown.

The national elite squad member started the first match brilliantly with five strikes-in-a-row to draw clear of his opponent and fourth-seed, Surasak Manuwong. Despite a late charge by the Thai, Zulmazran took the first game 236-233.

 

In the second game, the Malaysian turned in a faultless game for a score of 216 but Surasak won the second game after knocking down eight strikes-in-a-row to end with 257 and drew level with one game each forcing Zulmazran into the third and deciding game.

Zulmazran started off well with a double strike while Surasak had failed to spare in his second frame. The Malaysian had to knock down as many strikes as he could to shut the door on his opponent which he did and got his local supporters on their feet.

Zulmaran ended with 248 and although the Thai struck home, it proved too late losing the decider, 236-244 and the match 1-2 to the Malaysian.

"I was probably lucky to make the quarterfinals yesterday after dropping off the top 8 before the final game," echoed the newly-crowned champion, Zulmazran Zulkifli. "Thank god I had a big final game which got me through.

"I know my strength is in the knockout style of play and I made the semi after beating topseed, Sithiphol, who has been playing well in both the two rounds. The match against Surasak was probably my toughest-ever match that I've played. He has been bowling well the whole week.

The champion had reached the finals by ousted national backup squad member and second-seed, Kang Bo Long, 2-0 in an all-Malaysian semi-final while Surasak Manuwong made the finals after a thrilling 3-game semi when he defeated third-seed, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong, 2-1.

Zulmazran also became the third men to win the Malaysian Open title back-to-back. Y.C. Ma of Chinese Taipei won the title in 1986 and 1987 while Sweden's Mats Karlsson trimphed in 1982 and 1983.

Zulmazran pocketed the men's top prize of RM35,000 for his superb effort with RM17,000 going to Surasak Manuwong and RM7,000 each to both the losing semi-finalists, Kang Bo Long (3rd) and Wu Siu Hong (4th).

Carolyn took home RM17,000 with Geralding settling for RM7,500. Sharon Koh (3rd) and Bernice Lim (4th) won RM4,000 each. Sharon Koh, Shalin Zulkifli, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Kang Bo Long and third best Malaysian male finisher, Daniel Lim will form Team Malaysia for the Canon Cup 2009.

The Rest-of-the-World team is made up of Carolyn Ballard (USA), Geraldine Ng (SIN), Surasak Manuwong (THA), Wu Siu Hong (HKG) and Cassidy Schaub (USA). Both teams will meet on a head-to-head matchplay over 5 games tomorrow at 1.00pm for a total prize of RM45,000.

Photos by Terence for SBF.