Historic Win For Brunei
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei created history in Kuching on Sunday when they won the Borneo Cup for the first time since 1980 in the men's team event which is considered the crown jewel of the tournament.

The Borneo Regional Tennis Championship has always been a tightly-contested match among the best tennis players from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. Brunei started off their campaign against Sarawak in a commanding form.

Brunei No. One player and the 2003 Borneo Open singles champion AkAki Ismasufian, proved to be too powerful for Amin Tamel when he crushed his opponent 6-0, 6-2.

Billy Wong added another point to Brunei's tally when he beat Shawn Lee, the 2002 Borneo Open men singles champion in a three-set thriller 6-4, 3-6 and 6-2.

Sarawak managed to reduce the deficit through Kevin Lee who beat Ian Chok of Brunei in straight sets of 6-3,6-3.

However, the win was shortlived for Sarawak as Brunei national team coach Fan Po Hoa's gamble to put the pairing of On Sie Lu and Billy Wong paid off when Brunei were able to win the first doubles match-up against Sarawak's pairing of Mohd Zulkikar Ajaib and Suhairi Zawawi 7-6 (5),4-3.

Brunei also took the last doubles match when Ak Aki Ismasufian partnering Ian Chok beat Kevin Lee and Wan Abd Rahman 6-3, 6-4.

In the deciding match-up for the prestigious team event trophy, Brunei blanked Sabah 5-0.

Billy Wong beat Roslan Harjah 6-1, 6-0, Ak Aki Ismasufian defeated Charles Sinsua 6-2, 6-1, On Sic Lu beat Ardi Kadri 6-1, 6-1, Ian Chok! Billy Wong overpowered Ardi Kadri/Simon Wong 6-3, 6-1 and On Sic Lu/Ak Aki outclassed Mohd Fikri/Ben Lo 6-0, 6-1.

In the boys' event, Brunei were second best as the team has a mixed fortune when they beat Sabah 2-1 but lost to Sarawak 21.

The Brunei veteran team lost both their matches against Sarawak and Sabah.

The Borneo Open singles and doubles individual events will commence this Thursday. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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