Qi Xuan serves a surprise but Malaysia go down to Denmark

Good job: Eoon Qi Xuan delivers one point for Malaysia in Uber Cup Finals

PETALING JAYA: Singles shuttler Eoon Qi Xuan was the only bright spark as Malaysia went down 1-4 to Denmark in the Uber Cup Finals.

The 20-year-old Qi Xuan served a pleasant surprise when she stunned world No. 23 Line Christophersen 18-21, 21-18, 21-15 in the second singles of the opening Group D tie in Aarhus, Denmark.

Although ranked 100 rungs below her 21-year-old opponent, Qi Xuan showed plenty of spunk to win Malaysia's solitary point.

All others - S. Kisona, Lee Meng Yean-M. Thinaah, Teoh Mei Xing-Yap Ling and K. Letshanaa lost in their respective matches.

Thinaah partnered Meng Yean in the absence of Pearly Tan, who had to be rested due to a shoulder injury.

Despite playing together for the first time, scratch pair Thinaah-Meng Yean stole one game before going down 19-21, 21-10, 13-21 to world No. 16 Maiken Fruergaard-Sara Thygesen.

With the defeat against Denmark, Malaysia are unlikely to advance to the quarter-finals. They will play fancied China in their second group tie on Sunday (Oct 11 at 7.30pm Malaysian time).

Only the top two teams in each group will get to play in the top-eight knockout stage.

RESULTS

Group D: Denmark bt Malaysia 4-1 (Mia Blichfelt bt S. Kisona 21-11, 21-7; Maiken Fruergaard-Sara Thygesen bt Lee Meng Yean-M. Thinaah 21-19, 10-21, 21-13; Line Christophersen lost to Eoon Qi Xuan 21-18, 18-21, 15-21; Amalie Magelund-Freja Ravn bt Teoh Mei Xing-Yap Ling 21-13, 21-19; Line Kjaersfeldt bt K. Letshanaa 21-18, 21-14).