Malaysian Shuttlers Advance at Syed Modi International, eyeing Ranking Boost
LUCKNOW, India - A contingent of Malaysian badminton players secured victories in the first round of the Syed Modi International on Wednesday, positioning themselves to earn crucial ranking points as they navigate the tournament’s early stages. Several doubles pairs and mixed doubles teams progressed,setting up intriguing matchups in the second round.
The Syed Modi International, a Super 300 event, offers a significant opportunity for emerging Malaysian talent to climb the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings. With established stars perhaps focusing on higher-tier tournaments, this event allows back-up players to gain competitive experience and accumulate points vital for future tournament selections and seeding. The tournament runs through January 21st, with the second round commencing tomorrow.
Leading the charge in men’s doubles, 2024 world junior champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing demonstrated their prowess with a swift 21-11, 21-12 victory over India’s Navin Prasanth and V. Dhileepan in just 25 minutes. they will next face either Denmark’s Christian Kjaer-Ramus Kjaer or India’s Mayank Rana-aaryan Sapiah.
Joining them in the second round are Mohd Faiq Masawi-Lok Hong Quan, who defeated fellow Malaysians Boon Xin Yuan-Lee Yi Bo 21-19, 16-21, 21-14, as well as Fazriq Razif-Bryan Jeremy Goonting, Chia Weijie-Lwi Sheng Hao, and Lau yi Sheng-Lim Tze Jian, all of whom overcame Indian opponents. Faiq-Hong Quan will play Roy Pruthvi-K. sai Pratheek, while Fazriq-Bryan will face Taiwan’s He Zhi-wei-Huang Jui-hsuan. weijie-Sheng Hao and Yi Sheng-Tze Jian are slated to compete against Indian pairs P. Hari Bharathi-S. Bharathsanjai and A. Hariharan-M. R. Arjun, respectively.
In women’s doubles, Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting advanced with a 21-12, 21-15 win against Deepshikla Singh and Sonali Singh of India. They will now face compatriots Chong Jie Yu and Vanessa Ng, who were victorious over Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda 21-18, 21-13.
The mixed doubles also saw success for Malaysia, with Wong Tien Ci and lim Chiew Sien defeating Ayush Agarwal and Shruti Mishra 21-18, 21-14, earning them a second-round match against Ferogh Aman and Rutaparna Panda. Wee Yee Hern and Vannee Gobi also progressed, beating Sanjai Dhanraj and Anagha Pai 21-10, 21-18, but face a challenging encounter against Singaporean top seeds Terry Hee and Jin Yu Jia.
FIRST ROUND RESULTS
(malaysians only)
Men’s doubles: Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing bt Navin Prasanth-V. Dhileepan (Ind) 21-11, 21-12; Mohd Faiq Masawi-Lok Hong Quan bt Boon Xin Yuan-Lee Yi Bo 21-19, 16-21, 21-14; Fazriq razif-Bryan Jeremy Goonting bt Karthick Raja-P. Parth Vaid (Ind) 21-15, 21-17; Chia Weijie-Lwi Sheng Hao bt Bhargav Ram-Viswa Tej (Ind) 21-16, 21-14; Lau Yi Sheng-Lim Tze Jian bt Suraj Goala-Dhruv Rawat (Ind) 21-15, 21-14.
Women’s doubles: Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting bt Deepshikla singh-Sonali Singh (Ind) 21-12, 21-15; Chong Jie Yu-Vanessa ng bt Rutaparna Panda-Swetaparna panda (Ind) 21-18, 21-1
