MALAYSIA OPEN 2011 Day 1 – Ups and downs in local singles

Two of six local shuttlers made it through to the main draw in women’s singles at the 2011 Proton Malaysia Open in the evening session of qualifying.

By Lee Suet Yan, Badzine Correspondent live in Kuala Lumpur. Photos: Yves Lacroix for Badmintonphoto (live)

Once the second qualification round started, after a break of two and a half hours, the women’s singles, saw both non-Malaysian players were Pai Hsiao Ma and Ayane Kurihara make it through. Malaysia’s Florah Ng Siew Fong (pictured) and Saniru Sannatasah lost to Ayane Kurihara and Pai Hsiao Ma respectively.

Julia Wong, who was just back from injury moved a bit slowly and sluggish on court today, she had to deal with some powerful and accurate smashes from Tee Jing Yee, who secured a place in the main draw by defeating Julia 21-18, 21-12. Julia just needs more time to adapt herself in international tournaments again. Lydia Cheah also progressed into the main draw as she defeated her teammate 22-20, 21-10.

In the mixed doubles, too, six among the eight pairs were representing Malaysia. Again, the two non-Malaysian pairs both made it through. The more experienced Robert Blair / Gabrielle White were too strong for the Malaysian juniors. Blair/White lead 11-5 at the first game interval, they were so relaxed in their game as after the break, they were 17-7 ahead. Calvin Ong Jia Hong / Chaw Mei Kuan were totally lacking direction in the first game, which Blair/White eventually took 21-9. Things were getting worse in the second game for the Malaysians but Ong and Chaw are only 17 and 16 years old respectively this year and today’s match could provide them a great experience for future improvement.

Meanwhile, Kenta Kazuno / Misaki Matsutomo (pictured) also booked their ticket into the main draw. The Japanese pair had six game points in the first game, but the Malaysian pair Tan Wee Kleen / Lee Meng Yean saved one game point before Misaki/Kenta took the first game 21-15 as the shuttle landed on the back line. Tan/Lee were doing quite well in the first half of the second game as they were leading 11-7. Nevertheless, the Japanese leveled up at 11-11 after the mid-game interval and took the lead to 14-11.

In the next rally, Kenta hit a smash the Malaysian pair failed to return. Lee actually touched the shuttle, but the umpire gave the point to the Malaysian pair. Misaki/Kenta tried to talk with the umpire, but the umpire said he did not see Lee touched the shuttle. Hence, the point was given to the Malaysian pair, making it 14-12. The Japanese pair first reached match point 20-17 as Tan touched the net as he was trying to return Misaki’s net shot. At last, Misaki/Kenta won 21-15, 21-17.

For complete qualification round results from the 2011 Proton Malaysia Open Super Series, CLICK HERE