Shah Alam: Malaysia came from behind to upset the defending champions – Japan, in the 2022 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) first Group Y tie on Tuesday after Siti Nurshuhaini, Valeree Siow/Pearly Tan and Anna Cheong Ching Yik/Teoh Mei Xing won their decisive matches respectively.
Malaysia got off to a slow start when World No. 64 Kisona Selvaduray lost to World No. 72 Natsuki Nidaira 12-21, 16-21.
“My opponent is playing well today. I’ve learned more about the wind condition inside the stadium after today’s match, I believe I can do better in future matches,” said Selvaduray.
Malaysia’s Eoon Qi Xuan was struggling against Japan’s 2019 World Junior champion – Riko Gunji in the second women’s singles, losing to the 19-year-old 17-21, 7-21.
“I made a lot of mistakes in the second set. Maybe I was too impatient,” said Eoon after the match.
In the third women’s singles match, the World No. 311 Siti Nurshuhaini kept Malaysia’s hope alive by seeing off Hina Akechi who didn’t have a world ranking 21-16, 22-20.
“I was playing with no pressure. I was a little nervous, but fortunately, I was able to contribute a point for the team,” said Nurshuhaini.
In the first women’s doubles, due to Thinaah Muralitharan was tested positive for COVID-19, her partner Pearly Tan was paired with Valeree Siow and they were able to level the overall score to 2-2 after defeating Rui Hirokami/Yuna Kato 24-22, 21-18.
Anna Cheong Ching Yik/Teoh Mei Xing who won the 2022 Syed Modi International on Jan 23, didn’t disappoint by scoring the winning point for Malaysia when they overcame Hina Akechi/Riko Gunji 21-12, 21-5.
The Malaysia women’s team is scheduled to play India on Wednesday.
