KUALA LUMPUR – Frustration for Indonesian men’s shuttler Shesar Hiren Rhustavito as he had to retire from the Malaysia Open in the quarter-finals against world number two Kento Momota.
In the first set here at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Momota was leading 13-6 when Rhustavito had a fall and seemed to have injured himself.
He limped towards his corner and was not able to continue the match, visibly in pain. Upon discussion with the umpire and medical staff, the Indonesian withdrew himself and gave Momota the walkover.
He was taken off the court in a wheelchair as fans cheered him on.
Yesterday, Rhustavito defeated national ace Lee Zii Jia in the second round of the tournament.
This is the second walkover handed to Momota’s at the Malaysia Open with the first one coming during the first round after Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen pulled out before the tournament began.
Momota will face Thai shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn tomorrow in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, top seed Viktor Axelsen maintained his winning streak after overpowering Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 18-21, 21-17, 21-12 in the other quarter-finals match.
At the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Axelsen was put to the test in the first set as Ginting controlled the opening part of the match.
But Axelsen just needed to get himself comfortable and charged through the remaining sets to book his spot in the semi-finals tomorrow.
Even though he won, Axelsen said that the match was tough.
“It was a really intense match, he (Ginting) played a great match. The score doesn’t give justice, super close game.
“I managed to take control from the second set. So far it has been really good as I have no injuries, and I just put everything into playing my heart out,” he told reporters after the win.
Axelsen will play Indonesian shuttler Jonatan Christie tomorrow in the semi-finals after he took down H. S. Prannoy of India 21-18, 21-16. – The Vibes, July 1, 2022.
