Srikanth scalp may serve as turning point for Tze Yong

THE win against K. Srikanth of India could be the turning point in singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong’s career.

The world No. 42 stole the show with his unexpected victory to contribute one point in Malaysia’s stunning 3-1 win over defending champions India in the mixed team final on Tuesday.

The win meant a lot to Tze Yong as he has lost to the 29-year-old Srikanth twice in the month of May.

The first blow came in the Asian Championships in Manila when he suffered a first-round knockout. That was followed by the demoralising defeat as the second singles in the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok in May.

Many thought the 22-year-old Tze Yong would not be able to recover from that defeat but in Birmingham, Tze Yong proved that he can’t be written off yet.

Elated by the win, he felt like he was in dreamland after finally toppling Srikanth in his third attempt.

“It’s the best win of my career. I still can’t believe it,” said Tze Yong.

“I had lost to him twice three months ago and was very happy to win the match for my country this time. It’s hard to describe the feeling.

“It will surely give me the confidence to move forward.’’

The victory was irrefutable proof that the youngster has improved by leaps and bounds since the chastening defeats.

Tze Yong had skipped the Indonesian Masters and Indonesia Open in June after the defeats to spend more time in training and work on his strength, stamina and on-court strategies.

And that move to stay home has worked well as he stunned Hong Kong duo Angus Ng Ka Long (No. 11) and Lee Cheuk Yiu (No. 15) in the Singapore Open last month.

The victory over Srikanth was the best of the lot.

He looked like a man transformed in Birmingham compared to the Thomas Cup, displaying greater maturity, confidence and aggression.

With the win, Tze Yong also repaid the faith shown in him by national singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann, his coach Hendrawan and the Badminton Association of Malaysia.

He definitely showed that he had the temperament and all-round ability to be a world-class player.

If Tze Yong can keep up this upward trajectory, there are no limits to what he can achieve, and he may just continue with another medal in the ongoing individual event in Birmingham.

He could face a possible re-match against World Championship silver medallist Srikanth in the last four but before that, the Malaysian needs to overcome another huge obstacle in the shape of Singapore’s reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew in the last eight.

“I need to improve on my strength and technique to match the world’s top players,” added Tze Yong.