Zulkifli, Al-Suwaidi capture Open Masters titles in 36th Hong Kong International Open

    09/20/10

    Hong Kong

    Hong Kong Bowling City in Hong Kong, China (Sept. 9-18, 2010)

    200910PBAWSShalinZulkifli.jpg2009BWCHussainAlSuwaidi.jpgShalin Zulkifli (pictured left), Malaysia, and Hussain Al-Suwaidi (right), UAE, claimed the women's and men's Open Masters titles in the 36th Hong Kong International Open Saturday at Hong Kong Bowling City in Hong Kong, China.

    Asian ranking leader Al-Suwaidi earned the No. 1 seed for the men's final by averaging over 230 in Final Round Two and to lead the top six men into the stepladder finals. In addition Al-Suwaidi had the advantage that the top seed must be defeated twice to win the title.

    The Arab watched third-seed Zulmazran Zulkifli (no relation to Shalin) defeating two Chinese bowlers, No. 2 Mi Zhang Li and No. 6 Du Jian Chao, in the semifinal, 238-234-207.

    Du (212) had defeated Cyrus Cheung (203), Hong Kong, and Jeri Ramadona (199), Indonesia, in the opening match.

    In the title match, Al-Suwaidi topped Zulkifli, 221-182, to wrap up the title worth 55,000 Hong Kong Dollars or approx. 7,080 U.S.

    On the women's side, Shalin Zulkifli was one of four Malaysians in the stepladder finals. The PBA Women Series bowler had not competed in the Hong Kong Open since winning the Masters title in 2007 as the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) has not sent its national squad to compete in the Open for the last couple of years.

    2010SOZandraAziela.jpgZulkifli's team mate Zandra Aziela (pictured left) earned the No. 1 seed averaging 218 in the previous round with Zulkifli in fourth place with a 210.80 average. Zulkifli had to win four straight games to claim the title and to end an 11-month title drought and that was exactly what she did.

    After a very close opening round victory in which Zulkifli (227) ousted compatriot Sharon Koh (224) and Tsai Hsin Yi (222), Chinese Taipei, the Malaysian (256) flew past team mate Sin Li Jane (220) and New Hui Fen (150), Singapore, to earn the right to bowl Aziela for the title.

    Zulkifli won the first game, 233-221, to force a deciding second game in which she rolled the highest game of the stepladder finals to cruise to the title, 265-221. Zulkifli received 28,000 Hong Kong Dollars for the victory (approx. USD 3,600).

    The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women were eligible to bowl in the final leg of the 2010 Asian Bowling Federation Tour at Hong Kong Bowling City on Sunday, Sept. 19.

     


    36th Hong Kong International Open - Men's Stepladder Finals


    Hong Kong Bowling City in Hong Kong, China (Sept. 9-18, 2010)

     


    36th Hong Kong International Open - Women's Stepladder Finals


    Hong Kong Bowling City in Hong Kong, China (Sept. 9-18, 2010)

     


    Men's Open Masters Finals - Final Round 2


    The top 6 advanced to the stepladder finals.

     


    Women's Open Masters Finals - Final Round 2


    The top 6 advanced to the stepladder finals.

     


    Men's Open Masters Finals - Final Round 1


    The top 18 advanced to the next round.

     


    Women's Open Masters Finals - Final Round 1


    The top 15 advanced to the next round.

     


    Men's Open Masters Qualifying - Final Standings

     


    Women's Open Masters Qualifying - Final Standings

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