[UPDATED] M’sia Masters: ‘Playing against higher-ranked only makes me better’

KUALA LUMPUR – Seventeen is the number of times China’s Chen Yu Fei had lost to Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying – who is ranked higher in the world badminton women’s singles category – out of their 23 meetings, including this week’s Malaysia Masters.

However, in the world of sports, winning and losing are part of the tradition. 

The losses only allowed third-ranked Yu Fei to go further and take each tournament as a way to improve herself.

“Last week (Malaysia Open), when I played against Ratchanok Intanon (of Thailand, ranked sixth), I also had the advantage in head-to-head record but I still lost to her.

“Doesn’t matter who I face. Most importantly is to keep calm during the final points,” she was speaking to reporters after she upset the semifinal match against second-ranked Tzu Ying, 21-13, 23-21, in the Malaysia Masters at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil today.

In the finals tomorrow, Yun Fei will next face fourth-ranked An Se Young – whom she had seven wins out of their total meetings.

Earlier, the South Korean defeated Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in rubber sets, 21-18, 13-21, 21-8 in 57 minutes to progress into the finals.

“Just because I have had a better head-to-head record against An Se Young, that is the past. It does not mean I can win tomorrow’s match easily.

“The women’s singles category is a very tight competition. I need to prepare mentally as well, sometimes when the score reaches 20, I must not get carried away,” she explained.

In the men’s singles category, Indonesia’s Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo upset China’s Lu Guang Yu, 20-22, 23-21, 21-19 in 1 hour and 28 minutes, to meet Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long in the finals after beating India’s H. S. Prannoy 17-21, 21-9, 21-17 in 64 minutes.

As for the women’s doubles category, fifth-ranked Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida of Japan defeated 11th-ranked Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong of South Korea, 24-22, 21-13 in 41 minutes.

The Japanese pair is set to clash against Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan of China next.

Meanwhile, men’s doubles category, third-seeded Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia saw off Liang Wei Kang-Wang Chang of China, 21-19, 21-14 in 37 minutes to advance to the finals to face compatriots Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto.

Meanwhile, in the men's doubles category, third seed Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia saw off Liang Wei Kang-Wang Chang of China, 21-19, 21-14 in 37 minutes to advance to the finals.

Mixed doubles category had Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas of Indonesia also berthed their final spot after knocking Supak Jomkoh-Supissara Paewsampran of Thailand out of the semis, 18-21, 21-10, 21-15 in 44 minutes.

They will meet top-ranked Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong of China, who progressed after a powerful display against Yang Po-Hsuan-Hu Ling Fang of Taipei, 20-22, 21-16, 22-20 in 54 minutes. – The Vibes, July 9, 2022