KUALA LUMPUR − Malaysia’s challenge at the Korea Masters ended yesterday when the country’s last two competitors crashed out in the semi-finals.
National mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie lost their chance to play in the finals when they suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Chinese duo Ou Xuan Yi- Huang Ya Qiong.
Unseeded Xuan Yi-Ya Qiong only took 33 minutes to down the fourth-seeded pair 21-11, 21-15 during their match at Gwangju Yeonju Stadium, Gwangju.
The Chinese pair will take on compatriots and first seeds Wang Yi Lyu-Huang Dong Ping, who eliminated host pair Yong Jin-Lee Yu-Rim 21-12, 21-8 in the other semi-final match.
National singles player Soong Joo Ven also failed to make the finals when he lost to Japanese Kodai Naraoka 17-21, 23-21, 11-21 in the semi-finals.
In today’s final, Naraoka will face South Korean Jeon Hyeok Jin, who surprised sixth seed Sitthikom Thammasin from Thailand − beating him 21-18, 21-15.
Although Malaysia ended the Korea Masters without a major victory, there was a silver lining when national junior women’s singles player, Myisha Mohd Khairul won the 2022 Dutch International championship in Wateringen, the Netherlands, yesterday.
The 19-year-old lass from Johor Bahru had to work hard for her title by beating fellow Malaysian Siti Nurshuhaini Azman 21-19, 18-21, 21-19.
Myisha’s victory is certainly sweeter for her as it is her first international title this season. – Bernama, April 17, 2022
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