KUALA LUMPUR – It was a short-lived campaign for top seed women’s shuttler Akane Yamaguchi at the Malaysian Open as she fell in a stunning upset by Indonesian Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 21-14, 21-14 in the opening round.
Taking the court for the first match of the day here at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, 30th seed Gregoria took only 27 minutes to dismantle the Japanese world number one.
Speaking to the media after her loss, Yamaguchi was shocked at her early exit.
“I still can’t believe that I lost the match. She (Gregoria) was very focused,” she said.
Gregoria will now face China’s Wang Zhi Yi in the second round on Thursday, June 30.
This was not the only disappointment at the arena, as Singapore’s top player Loh Kean Yew is also heading home prematurely after losing to Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-19, 21-12.
After the 39-minute match, Kean Yew was more frustrated by his own performance than the untimely exit.
“I am disappointed in my game. It’s not just about making it past the first round.
“I thought I could play better, but now I have to work on my consistency and be better,” said the world number nine.
Kean Yew added that 15th seed Cheuk Yiu is a strong opponent, as they have been training together in Dubai at world number one Viktor Axelsen’s camp.
“He is a tough opponent, and I don’t think I have ever won against him before.
“Regardless, I am mostly disappointed in my own performance. The results today are another thing. I need to be able to make changes on the court more efficiently,” he added.
Cheuk Yiu will now face Axelsen in the second round after the Dane defeated Frenchman Brice Leverdez.
After his win, Axelsen told reporters he had never experienced drift such as that at the Axiata Arena ever in his career. – The Vibes, June 28, 2022
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