Mixed fate for Malaysian shuttlers in the qualifying round of the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold
The Malaysian shuttlers faced a mixed fate in the qualifying round of the Thailand Open GP Gold 2011, at Bangkok, on Tuesday, June 7. Some of them were sent packing by their opponents, however, some shuttlers made it through to the main round of the event.
In the Men’s Singles category, Malaysia’s Kuan Beng Hong defeated Sittichai Viboonsin and Parinyawat Thongnuam of Thailand in the two qualifying round fights.
Malaysia’s young shuttler, Zulfadli Zulkifli, who has recently clinched the title in the National Junior Circuit, also emerged as the winner in the qualifying round match against the local shuttler, Surtlek Sakaya.
Zulkifli proved that he belongs to a higher class of badminton, as he showed no mercy to the Thai player and finished the match in two sets, 21-10 and 21-13.
However, some other Malaysian Men’s Singles back-up players in the national squad failed to produce a good performance in the qualifying matches. Malaysia’s Lim Yu Sheng, Kuan Kam Chung and Misbun Ramdan lost their matches against their opponents in the
qualifying round.
In the Women’s Singles category, both Malaysian shuttlers lost their qualifying matches against their opponents. Malaysia’s Lydia Li Ya Cheah, currently world number 140, failed to produce better form against the spirited Busanan Ongbumrungpan of Thailand
and lost her match in three sets.
Tee Jing Yi, another female shuttler of Malaysia, who is currently ranked at world number 122, also failed to get rid of Sayaka Takahashi of Japan. The Malaysian could not control the pace of the game and lost the match in three sets.
In the Mixed Doubles category, Malaysia’s Woon Khe Wei and Vountus Indra Mawan had to struggle really hard to pass their hurdles in the qualifying round of the Thailand Open.
Woon Khe – Vountus Indra proved too strong for Chiang Pei Hsin – Liao Kuan Hao of Taiwan in the opening qualifying match. The Malaysians continued their winning run and defeated another pair of Taiwan, Woon Ti Jung – Lin Yen Jui, in a superb rubber-set match.
In the main round of the draw, Woon Khe – Vountus Indra will fight against Puspita Richi Dili – Delynugraha Muhammad Rizky of Indonesia, on Wednesday, June 8.
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