Malaysian girls finally grab first win in Uber Cup

NEW DELHI: It CAME a little too late but the Malaysian girls showed promise for the future as they grabbed their first win in the Uber Cup Finals.

Malaysia beat Germany 5-0 in their final Group Z tie, sealing victory quickly through their first two singles and first doubles.

Tee Jing Yi will be the most satisfied shuttler in the women’s team after notching her third win in a row – beating world No. 36 Karin Schnaase 21-13, 21-18.

World No. 50 Jing Yi had earlier notched straight-game wins over Denmark’s Line Kjaersfeldt (No. 39) and Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi (No. 13).

SEA Games reigning champions Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo also came good for the first time – winning 21-16, 21-15 against German pair Carla Nelte-Isabel Herttrich – to extend Malaysia’s lead.

The diminutive Yang Li Lian, who did not play against Japan on Tuesday, held off a spirited challenge from Fabienne Deprez to win 21-18, 21-17 in 33 minutes. 

“I’m happy to get my first win ... but it could have been a better finish. We did not achieve our target of making the quarter-finals but I think we did not fare that bad either.

“Ours is still a young team and most of us are making our Uber Cup debut.

“We have room to improve and gain experience if we are given more opportunities to play in tournaments overseas,” said Li Lian, who made her Uber Cup debut in Wuhan in 2012.

Amelia Anscelly partnered Soong Fie Cho to beat Birgit Michels-Karin Schnaase 21-13, 21-19 in the second doubles and Lim Chiew Sien closed for Malaysia with a 21-16, 21-15 win over Anika Dorr.