Lau Lingers Longer In Hong Kong
by Howard Harding
20 April 2012 - Unseeded Hong Kong hope Dick Lau extended his unexpected home run in the Buler Challenge Cup in Hong Kong when he beat India's Mahesh Mangaonkar in today's quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 squash event in its eighth year at the Hong Kong Squash Centre.
Lau, now one of three Hong Kong players through to the last four, made his breakthrough in the opening round when he ousted second-seeded Malaysian Muhd Asyraf Azan after a 65-minute battle.
The 26-year-old world No75 needed a further 70 minutes to see off Mangaonkar today, winning 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 to set up a clash with fellow non-seed Kam Hing Choong, from Malaysia.
The 23-year-old from Ipoh Perak scored a notable national triumph by recording his first ever Tour win over higher-ranked fellow countryman Ivan Yuen, the No3 seed, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5.
Max Lee and Leo Au reached the other all-Hong Kong semi-final in double quick time. Top seed Lee defeated Jordan's Ahmad Al-Saraj 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 in 29 minutes, while fourth seed Au beat Malaysian qualifier Valentino Bon Jovi Bong 11-2, 11-5, 11-7 in 24 minutes.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Buler Challenge Cup, Hong Kong China
Quarter-finals:
[1] Max Lee (HKG) bt Ahmad Al-Saraj (JOR) 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 (29m)
[4] Leo Au (HKG) bt [Q] Valentino Bon Jovi Bong (MAS) 11-2, 11-5, 11-7 (24m)
Kam Hing Choong (MAS) bt [3] Ivan Yuen (MAS) 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5 (46m)
Dick Lau (HKG) bt Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 (70m)
Semi-final line-up:
[1] Max Lee (HKG) v [4] Leo Au (HKG)
Dick Lau (HKG) v Kam Hing Choong (MAS)
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