KUALA LUMPUR: Doyce Lee overcame mental and physical fatigue to stage an impressive upset against her training partner and top seed, Whitney Isabelle Wilson, to win in the girls' Under-19 event at the CIMB National Junior Circuit Grand Finals today.
The second seed faced a challenging start, losing the opening two games 11-5, 11-9.
However, she rebounded, winning the next three games 11-8, 11-5, 11-9 in 37-minute final at the Dato Mohd Said Sports Complex in Seremban Two.
The victory marked Doyce's third consecutive five-setter win in the tournament.
In the semi-finals on Saturday, she was pushed to her limits by Chen Yu Jie before prevailing 3-11, 11-7, 6-11, 14-12, 11-8.
In the quarter-finals on Friday, Doyce narrowly edged out V. Haneesha 5-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-13, 11-7.
Reflecting on her challenging run to the title, Doyce admitted that it had been both mentally and physically demanding to win her last three matches in five games.
"I struggled to maintain my usual form and made simple errors in the quarter-finals and semi-finals," said Doyce after the final.
"However, I was determined not to repeat those mistakes in the final.
"Despite losing the opening two games, I managed to turn the tables on Whitney by clinching the next three games.
"This victory marks my first win over Whitney, who is my training partner at the Bukit Jalil Sports Schools. That familiarity made the final a hard-fought contest."
Results (All finals)
Boys's under-9: Nik Izz Dameer Norifaizal (Kel) bt Syed Arash Adamsa (Ked) 11-7, 11-5, 11-6;
Under-11: Hisshan Nair Tan (Neg) bt Sharhan Saiful (Phg) 11-6, 11-6, 11-6;
Under-13: Jayden Tan Li Khai (Sel) bt Faiz Darwisy (Ked) 11-4, 11-4, 11-8;
Under-15: Izz Nabil Iman Shahrizan Azrol (Per) bt E. Kaveeshan Gnana (KL) 11-3, 11-5, 11-9;
Under-17: Addin Iqwan (Ter) bt Firdaus Naufal Zulkifli (Ked) 11-2, 11-9, 11-5;
Under-19: Tay Jun Qian (Sel) bt Hasvind Kugan (KL) 11-8, 11-9, 12-10.
GIRLS UNDER-9: Nuie Chew (Sel) bt Nur Awliya Syafiqah Afrizal (Ked) 13-11, 11-7, 11-3;
Under-11: S. Avantikashrii (Sel) bt Maisarah (Ter) 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8;
Under-13: Niea Chew (Sel) bt Siti Syaurah Sufian (Sar) 11-7, 11-8, 11-4;
Under-15: Jinoreeka Ning Manivannan (Prk) bt Emelda Camalia (Ked) 11-6, 12-10, 11-6;
Under-17: Harleein Tan (Nse) bt T. Dakshayani (KL) 11-5, 11-9, 11-5;
Under-19: Doyce Lee (Sab) bt Whitney Isabelle Wilson (Pen) 5-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9.