Hard work paying off: Siti Nurshuhaini Azman won her maiden title in the Lithuanian International on Sunday.
PETALING JAYA: A change in attitude has worked well for women’s singles shuttler Siti Nurshuhaini Azman.
Nurshuhaini captured her maiden title at the Lithuanian International after beating India’s Purva Barve 22-20, 23-21 in the final on Sunday.
It was a good response from the 19-year-old after she had come under fire due to her poor showing in Malaysia’s 0-5 defeat to Thailand in the group stages in the Uber Cup Finals in Chengdu last month.
Nurshuhaini had lost tamely at 5-21, 8-21 to world No. 20 Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the third singles match.
National women’s singles coach K. Yogendran stood by the youngster after her disappointing performance and his faith was rewarded.
“I’m very happy with Siti for winning her first title,” said Yogendran.
“After the Uber Cup, she changed her attitude and was more serious in training. This title is a breakthrough for her and will motivate her to play better in her next tournaments.
“I hope she can continue this attitude and focus in training, so that she can get bigger titles.”
The Lithuanian tourney might only be a Future Series event but the victory was still a boost for world No. 223 Nurshuhaini after she had struggled with form and fitness for more than a year.
Previously, she finished runner-up twice in the 2021 Czech Open and 2022 Dutch International.
Nurshuhaini, who will turn 20 in September, will next be competing in the back-to-back Northern Marianas Open (July 2-7) and Saipan International Challenge (July 9-14).
