Kuala Lumpur – Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan. Flight was not delayed. But the route changed. Departed at 1pm Malaysia. Previous arrival time was 5pm but we arrived at 7pm (10pm Malaysia). It is 3 hours difference in Kazakh to Malaysia. Waited at the wrong luggage belt. The info screen was showing Belt 3, but eventually it was 2. Both have the same flight number. Confused!
There is no direct flight to the venue in Shymken, and this is the route that the travel agent chose for us. To stay one night in Almaty.
Kazakstan currency is Tengge. Could not change it in Malaysia since they dont have Tengge currency, and the safest one is to get USD in KLIA. Right after bags taken, we went to the money changer, and my usd notes was not accepted. The counter said, it was not good. Only manage to change half of the money. They just wanted the new notes.
At the exit, a guy came to ask if we want taxi. It was night time, it was 9pm already. Decided not to walk though I can see the google maps was showing 15 minutes walk.
“How much?”
“Not much.. 5,000 tengge.. its ok u want or not. A little dangerous to walk..”
As there were two girls with me, I think it was safer to take the taxi. It was just 5 minutes drive. When we got off, the drive said 5,000. 5,000. 5,000. It was 5,000 each. We got scammed. They tricked us. That 5,000 is like 40 ringgit each. We paid rm120 for just 5 minutes drive, maybe less. Aiyoo.
Theres more. Was told the hotel was at the airport, connected, but that was not the case. We have to go out and walk (taxi), if we arrive early, we might decide to walk there. Google map said 3stars hotel.
At the hotel counter, the receptionist told us the reservation was cancelled by the system. With language barrier, the receptionist kept repeating about cancellation. Shown her the reservation and she insisted it was cancelled. We solve it by google translate our voice. And paid for the rooms for the night. And google was wrong on the star. It was not even 2 stars.
Then… we walk to the airport to have dinner. 🤣 should have grab something first to eat before we took the taxi.
First few wins in Kazakhstan I guess. Waiting for our connecting flight to Shymken.
The Tournament
Shymkent Kazakhstan has been the host for the Final Qualifying for Asia on 12 to 17 May 2025. 16 nations are in this final qualifying with 14 Nations automatically in here where the new addition Malaysia and Philippines were the new Nation to get here from Pre Qualifying.
Malaysia have been drawn to Group 2 with the 3rd seeded Japan, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia. Looking at the contries competing, It was not a very bad draw since the nation in the group was playable have have good chance in winning some.
There were ranks for all the girls competing, and the seeded were set according to combine ranks of all three players. Malaysia was not seeded, and need to be drawn with other seeded teams. In this case, the Japanaese and Taiwanese.
Malaysia vs Japan
Our first match with Japan was a quick hit to the head. The Japanese were good in all aspects especially the 1st single. Rank below 200 in ITF has shown her high level in tennis. Taking the balls early and deefending very well on attacking shots.
We lost to Japan 0-3 on our first group stage.
Adani went in first as second single. Then 1st single and Doubles.
Daania 3-6;1-6
Adani 1-6;0-6
Adani/Daania 1-6;1-6
Movements were better on the other side of the net. The hitting were more precise. The defending and attacking were one step ahead compared to Malaysian team. The team was well prepared on clay compared to us.
malaysiaboleh
bjkcupjunior
Malaysia vs Chinese Taipei
We were set to play each day with one Nation. We knew that in the group we have chance with Indonesia since South East Asia players are not that consistent in their game. But our second game was with Chinese Taipei.
The thing with this tournament is that, realizing that we do not have enough exposure, we do not have enough training.. we have less in many things compared to other players. They (the top players) were travelling each weeks to tournament while we are glued in the country playing each other.
Today, we lose again, and this time to Chinese Taipei
1st Single: Daania 1-6; 1-6
2nd Single: Dhevieena 0-6; 2-6
Doubles Adani/ Dhevieena: 1-6; 1-6
The better one was the 1st single when Daania was playing. Though the score was 1-6; 1-6, she had deuces and advantages in most of the games. Could not convert the break points in receiving games and also the getting the hold in serve games. It was quite competitive though the score was not showing.
The 2nd single match was not very good. Starting the match receiving the serve, and did not get one single point. The next serve was 0-40 and the next receiving game was also 40-0. She lose up to 15 points straight in the beginning of the match. It was 0-3, 0-40 that she manage to get one point. Then straight 0-6. If im not mistaken, the first set was just 4 points won.
After second 11 points streak in second set, told her, there are lots of ways to get points, not just by hitting hard left and right where this strategy was not working. Mistakes were seen in most points.
Managed to get 2 games in the second set when she change things to slow the pace. Put more balls in, vary the height. Lost 2-6 in the second set.
Well, its a good learning experience for the coach and the players to see this level and this is not even the world group yet, its final qualifying. 😁 Hope the players are learning something and click on the motivation to improve.
You have to train to get better. You have to compete to be a winner.
These matches were also not in our favour. The Chinese Taipei 1st single was even better. Rank 135 in ITF, she shown better aggressiveness on court. We lost all the matches again.
Though the score was not really impressive, we were satisfied with the performance. It was not that bad, but we lost at the crucial points everytime important points need to be converted.
Malaysia Vs Indonesia
Indonesian on 3rd day. This is important match since it will give us the 3rd placing in the group.
The third placing in Group B will meet the Fourth placing of either Group C or D. We knew, the fourth placing was not strong and it will give us the easier wins against them. This is the Quater Final of the losing team. Winning these draws means we will get to 9th placing.
Played well, though it needed to be a decider match in Doubles, we manage to get it done.
We did it!
Our first win in BJKC Final. Against Indonesia. It was a dramatic encounter to play them.
Adani 6-1;0-6;1-6. The opponent had huge forehand. Adani seems to be having trouble to handle the big stroke, but luckily, the opponent made a lot of mistakes on the first set. Won 6-1, thought this could be easy. But eventually, she was drag to rubber set with the second set was very fast. Lost 1-6 in rubber, opponent able to hit more balls in obviously. And we were 0-1 down.
Daania went in. A little shaky with few unforced errors made by Daania. Was hoping she got herself back together early in the set. She did and won the match 6-3; 6-2.
The doubles match was the decider to get to the 3rd placing in the group. The third placing will meet group C or D last placing. Meaning, the least strong team. This is an important strategy since we need to stay at final qualifying next year. Winning the next round will make Malaysia stays in Final Qualifying and do not need to play Pre Qualifying like this year.
Double can be on either side. Match was using no ads scoring, and 2+1 supertiebreak on third set. And the deciding points at deuce, we lost two times in the first set. It cost us the set. We lost 3-6 though leading 3-1.
2nd set they led 5-1, but opponent able to catch up to 5-4. Prayed hard not to get to 5-5 as it will put more pressure to Malaysia. Did not happen, and we win 6-4.
In the super tiebreak, the score was very tight. It was 1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2… then we leap a little bit at the end making it 10-7. Great feeling to win.
2nd single: Adani 6-1; 0-6; 1-6
1st seingle: Daania 6-3; 6-2
Doubles: Daania/ Adani 3-6; 6-4; (10-7).
The winning, made us Third in Group B.
A good win, and our first win of the tournament. Being the 3rd means we were waiting for the draw of either Kyrgystan or Philippine.
Malaysia vs Philippines
It turned out to be the Philippines when the draw was made, and as a captain, I will prefer the other one. we have to manage and set our mind to beat Philippines again. Malaysia and Philippines were from Pre Qualifying in Kuching Sarawak in February 2025. And we beat them to become the Champ in Pre Qualifying. Confidence were high.
The second single had won. Adani went in and played well from the first point. Hitting a lot of winners and forcing the errors. Won 6-1, 6-1.
Daania went in. In the last meeting, she made it easier than this time. Could not hit well in the first set. And lost 1-6. A little off with hitting over the baseline. She came back strong in second set, winning 6-2. It was quite shocking when the umpire said 10 points super tiebreak. I was not aware of this, not good. Should be better informed on this. A few magic points by the Filipinos,nets and down the line, Daania lost 7-10.
I was quite confidence with combination of Daania/Adani against the opponent. True enough, they made it. Again winning the decider match with Filipinos.
1st Single: Daania 1-6; 6-2; (7-10)
2nd Single Adani 6-1; 6-1
Doubles Adani/Daania 6-1; 6-3.
Lets go for semi final tomorrow to get the 9th position.
Was hoping to get 2-0 but instead we have to settle with decider. Our hope for the first single win was crushed when Daania lost in Super tiebreak. However, we came in strong as doubles team.
Another victory for Malaysia. And emotion was high. We knew that we will not be relegated to pre qualifying anymore. Preparation can be made next year for Final Qualifying.
Malaysia vs Uzbekistan
Next was the Uzbekistan. From the list of players, we knew we had the chance to beat them. True enough, we got them.
Its not easy to have matches everyday. And all matches were with players who understand how to defense and when to attack. Most of them able to defense aggressively. Its not easy to get points but its easy to give points away.
Muscle tightness, blisters, exhaustion, part of the package but they still do it for Malaysia 🇲🇾.
We fought two supertiebreak today. Instilling believe and good tactics during both supertiebreaks.
1st Single: Daania 6-4; 3-6; (10-4)
2nd Single: Adani 5-7; 6-2; (10-8)
Everyday, team captain is getting used to holding breath during crucial points. Thanks to input from Hazli (Aboy), Daania’s dad for giving tactical and strategy to the team. Been here to accompany her daughter.
In the second single, Adani went down in the first set. Most points conceded because of trying to make winners. With bigger margin at the net, issue was solved.
In the first single, Daania went in strong. Opponents were good in defense and quick to neutralized the points. Only at the super tiebreak the opponent have trouble focusing on the points by points.
We won 2-0, did not play doubles.
Waiting for Final in 9-10 placing. Going for 9th place of course. At least we are in the final. 😁
We won 2-0 and relieve we did not have to play the double decider. Its important to get this win and it was already an improvement for us.
Malaysia vs Hong Kong
We were in the final, to compete in 9/10 position. Thailand and Hong Kong were fighting to get ahead and Hong Kong went through. Still we have another one to beat.
Players were motivated to play to get to 9th position. It has to be a decider doubles before we lost to Hong Kong.
Decider doubles. Almost made it.
Adani/ Daania did not make it in doubles. Lost 4-6; 5-7. Our 10th place is already an over achievement, coming from pre qualifying. Malaysia was at 14th rank at the beginning of the tournament and we finish higher.
In Second single, Adani lost 4-6, 4-6. It was a close match. On different day, I know Adani can beat her.
In First single, Daania won with score 6-4; 7-6(6). Down 3-6 in the tiebreak and came back strong to beat her opponent with 8-6 tiebreak.
Anyway, Malaysian did not lose to Hong Kong since the coach had revenge in Doubles match after the girl finish. 😆.
It was wonderful experience to be in this team. Was not easy to sit few hours in the court watching matches and thinking to help solve the problem. 2 singles and 1 double everyday for 6 days. The solution need to be quick, and it need to be correct. Decision need to be made fast.
One wrong advise will make the team suffer the lost. The girls were wonderful. They train hard in Malaysia and they fought hard here. Credits to their parents and coaches back home. May we have more players who have big vision in tennis.
We did our best in BJKC jr 2025. Did not manage to qualify to Chile 2025 for world group, but we had improve. Both teams in group B able to qualify. Japan and Chinese Taipei with the Chiinese Taipei was the Champ beating Australian in the final. Will be good if we were not in this group. Maybe the chance was a little higher.
Staying in Final qualifying was the main goal, and getting to 10th position was great. May next year have better results than this year.
Work need to be done to increase the level.