The Unforgettable Maybank Malaysia Open
The Maybank Malaysia Open has always been a tournament filled with joyful memories for Men’s Doubles defending champions, Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan. However, this year, their cherished memories turned into a nightmare. In a shocking turn of events, the Indonesian duo fell to the inspired Chinese Taipei pair, Lee Sheng Mu and Tsai Chia Hsin, in a thrilling three-game match. The loss sent shockwaves through Putra Stadium – the same venue where Ahsan and Setiawan began their streak of success a year ago.
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Tai Tzu Ying’s Retirement and Bellaetrix Manuputty’s Surprise Victory
The celebrations for Lee Sheng Mu and Tsai Chia Hsin were tempered by the retirement of their popular compatriot, Tai Tzu Ying. Due to illness, Tai Tzu Ying relinquished her Women’s Singles crown, allowing Indonesian player Bellaetrix Manuputty to benefit from the unexpected turn of events. It was a bittersweet moment for both Lee and Tsai.
A Struggle for Form
Ahsan and Setiawan, the World champion Men’s Doubles team, faced difficulties finding their usual form against their rivals, Lee and Tsai. Despite boasting a 4-0 record against their opponents, the defending champions couldn’t seem to get going. They lacked their usual creativity and were passive throughout the first game, as Lee and Tsai surprised them with an unrelenting display of skill. The second game was closely contested, with Ahsan and Setiawan managing to steal the victory in the closing stages. However, their hopes of carrying the momentum into the third game were shattered as Lee and Tsai continued to pile on the pressure. Setiawan, known for his composed play at the net, appeared shaky, and that was all Lee and Tsai needed to close out the match.
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A Perspective from Lee Sheng Mu
“We were relaxed today because they had won all their matches against us, and we felt we had nothing to lose,” said Lee. Ahsan and Setiawan admitted their performance was subpar, with Setiawan acknowledging his mistakes at the net. The Indonesian duo had a bad start and felt frustrated by their opponents’ strong defense.
Redemption for Indonesia
Despite the disappointing loss of Ahsan and Setiawan, there were redeeming moments for Indonesia in other categories. Angga Pratama and Ryan Agung Saputra, as well as Markis Kido and Gideon Markus Fernaldi, secured victories in the Men’s Doubles category. Praveen Jordan and Debby Susanto also triumphed in the Mixed Doubles category. These wins helped salvage the day for the Indonesian team.
Exciting Battles and Upsets
The Maybank Malaysia Open offered thrilling matches and unexpected upsets. Pratama and Saputra stunned the All England champions, Liu Xiaolong and Qiu Zihan of China, in a surprisingly one-sided affair. Jordan and Susanto provided an exciting battle against Malaysia’s Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying, ultimately coming out on top in a hard-fought match. Goh V Shem and Lim Khim Wah ensured a quarter-final place for Malaysia by defeating Maneepong Jongjit and Nipitphon Puangpuapech of Thailand in Men’s Doubles. Additionally, top-seeded Lee Chong Wei eased past Wang Zhengming of China in the Men’s Singles category.
The Final Showdown
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The much-anticipated final clash between local hero Lee Chong Wei and Chen Long almost became a derailment. Chen battled fever and a fearless attack from Hong Kong’s Wei Nan. Chen, who survived a match point in his previous round, found himself in a tight spot as Wei took the lead in the closing stages. Wei put up a valiant fight, attacking aggressively and challenging Chen at the net. However, Chen managed to save three match points and emerged victorious with a score of 19-21, 21-18, 24-22.
Highlights of the Tournament
The Maybank Malaysia Open provided several highlights that were both surprising and thrilling. In Women’s Singles, Sung Ji Hyun, the fifth seed from Korea, was defeated by Thailand’s Nichaon Jindapon. Saina Nehwal from India, who has been struggling with her form, once again squandered a lead and lost to China’s Yao Xue. Akane Yamaguchi from Japan continued her impressive rise by defeating her compatriot Minatsu Mitani.
The Men’s Singles quarter-finals witnessed two young prospects making an impact. Kento Momota from Japan easily defeated Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana, while India’s K Srikanth battled long and hard against Korea’s Son Wan Ho. Denmark’s Jan Jorgensen also secured a comfortable victory against India’s Kashyap Parupalli.
In Women’s Doubles, China’s Bao Yixin and Tang Jinhua, who are chasing their seventh consecutive title win as a pair, faced a tough challenge from unheralded Indonesians Suci Rizky Andini and Tiara Rosalia Nuraidah. Bao and Tang barely held off their opponents, winning in three grueling games. Christinna Pedersen showcased her exceptional skills in both Women’s Doubles (with Kamilla Rytter Juhl) and Mixed Doubles (with Joachim Fischer Nielsen), continuing her streak of success.
Conclusion
The Maybank Malaysia Open provided audiences with nail-biting matches, unexpected upsets, and unforgettable moments. Despite the disappointment for defending champions Ahsan and Setiawan, Indonesia found solace in the performances of other players. The tournament showcased the resilience and skill of the players, offering a thrilling experience for badminton enthusiasts around the world.
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