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KUALA LUMPUR – Women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei sealed the deal for Malaysia after overpowering India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu today, booking a berth in the Sudirman Cup quarterfinals.
The two-time world junior champion defeated her former world champion opponent in rubber sets, 14-21, 21-10, 22-20, in 53 minutes.
With that, Jin Wei delivered Malaysia’s third point after mixed doubles duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and men’s singles Lee Zii Jia had kicked off the campaign well to deliver the leading points.
Soon Huat-Shevon defeated Dhruv Kapila-Ashwini Ponnappa, 21-16, 21-17, followed by Zii Jia’s win over Srikanth Kidambi, 21-16, 21-11.
“Going through the match felt like a marathon to me. I was just waiting for the match to finish.
“To me, it was my biggest achievement. I did not worry too much about winning or losing.
“I did not think of who I should prove myself to, but only to myself and those who believe in me. That is the most important,” said the 23-year-old player in an interview with the Badminton World Federation after the match.
The Malaysian squad continued to conquer the group match as national top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik downed Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in straight sets, 21-18, 21-19, in just 35 minutes.
National top women’s doubles duo Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah also managed a straight-sets win against Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, 21-15, 21-13, in 37 minutes.
Malaysia is scheduled to meet Taiwan on Wednesday in a match that will decide who will be at the top of the group. – The Vibes, May 15, 2023
