[UPDATED] Thomas Cup: no happy ending for M’sia in Bangkok

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia was knocked out of the Thomas Cup today after losing their quarter-final tie to India at the Impact Arena in Bangkok today.

India will either meet South Korea or Denmark in the semi-finals tomorrow. 

Malaysia started well when national badminton ace Lee Zii Jia brushed aside India’s rising star Lakshya Sen 23-21, 21-9.

The in-form world number 6 had previously lost to Sen at this year’s All England Open in the semi-final.

“It’s good revenge. I have mentally prepared for this match,” Zii Jia told the press after his win.

“In the second set, from my side, I think Lakshya was against the wind and it makes me more comfortable to control the shot. That’s why I took the advantage (to beat him).”

Despite Zii Jia winning his match, doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani then proceeded to fall victim to the powerful play of eighth-ranked Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 21-19, 21-15.

Following the first doubles match, Ng Tze Yong fell prey to world number 11 Srikanth Kidambi in the second singles match, losing 21-11, 21-17. 

Aaron Chia-Teoh Ee Yi then levelled the quarter-final tie 2-2 in the second men’s doubles, after beating Krishna Prasad Garaga-Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala 21-19, 21-17 in 37 minutes.

“We’ve never played against them before. We also didn’t analyse this pair a lot because we expect they would place a different pair,” said Chia following the match.

“But we hope the positive vibe from our win will help our team to be more confident and deliver the strength to win.” 

However, Leong Jun Hao could not deliver the crucial point after he was thrashed 21-13, 21-8 by H.S. Prannoy in the third singles match, handing India a 3-2 win. – The Vibes, May 12, 2022