GLASGOW: It was a day of highs and low for Malaysia in the Commonwealth Games badminton quarter-finals on Friday.
Top seed Chong Wei Feng crashed out in the men’s singles but the Malaysian women stole the show when Tee Jing Yi and Lai Pei Jing-Lim Yin Loo made it to the semi-finals in the singles and doubles respectively.
Wei Feng’s shocking 15-21, 21-8, 17-21 loss to India’s R.M.V Gurusaidutt ended Malaysia’s winning run in the men’s singles event in the Commonwealth Games.
Earlier, Liew Daren had lost to another Indian – P. Kashyap.
Malaysia have never failed to win the men’s singles gold medal since the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand.
This time, Malaysia do not have a single shuttler – at the semi-final stage.
Wei Feng was devastated, especially after squandering a 12-10 lead to allow Gurusaidutt to pull away with seven straight points to 17-12.
“I am very disappointed with myself. I was in control but, at 12-10, he started attacking relentlessly and won seven points in a row … that broke my rhythm,” said Wei Feng.
“I tried to fight back but it was too late. Credit to him for playing well
“I’m sorry I could not maintain Malaysia’s good tradition in the Commonwealth Games …I tried.”
While Wei Feng walked out of the court in despair, Jing Yi was sprawled on the court in sheer joy after beating India’s P.C Thulasi 18-21, 21-19, 21-19 in 73 minutes.
“I could not believe it … I just fought hard for every point. I knew Wei Feng lost on the other court … so I kept on fighting to make sure that we will be represented in the singles in the semis,” said a delighted Jing Yi.
It was a tensed decider between Jing Yi and Thulasi as both locked horns right from the start.
Fortunately, the Malaysian emerged triumphant.
Jing Yi will take on Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour next. She had beaten Kirsty in straight games during the mixed team tie but it’ll be a different ball game in the last four.
“This is my first Games and I want to be one of the medallists. I will be ready to face Kirsty,” said Jing Yi.
There was more joy for Malaysia in the women’s doubles when scratch pair Yin Loo-Pei Jing dumped top seeds Shinta Mulia Sari-Yao Lei of Singapore 19-21, 22-20, 21-19 to reach the semi-finals.
They will take on India’s World Championships bronze medallists Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponnappa.
In the men’s doubles, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong lived up to their billing to reach the semi-finals.
The duo made life difficult for themselves before prevailing 21-17, 21-19 against Australia’s Robbin Middleton-Ross Smith.
V Shem-Wee Kong will meet top seeds Chris Adcock-Andrew Ellis of England next.
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