Siti of hope

Seize the day: Siti Zulaikha Azmi is guaranteed at least a bronze if she gets past Taiwan’s Huang Sheng-chun in the last eight today.

PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Siti Zulaikha Azmi is just one win away from ending Malaysia’s seven-year medal drought in the girls’ singles in the Asian Junior Championships after storming into the quarter-finals.

Zulaikha, who is the second seed in the tournament, stayed composed to beat South Korea’s Kim Do-yeon 22-20, 21-16 in the third round at the Among Rogo Sports Hall in Yogyakarta yesterday.

The 17-year-old will now be guaranteed at least a bronze if she gets past Taiwan’s Huang Sheng-chun in the last eight today.

Eoon Qi Xuan was the last Malaysian to win a medal in the competition when she took home bronze in 2017.

Zulaikha is keen to continue her good run after her win over Do-yeon.

“I’m very thankful to come away with the win today (yesterday). I tried to be calmer on court,” said Zulaikha.

This win has given me more confidence and I hope to keep going.”

Meanwhile, national junior head coach Jeffer Rosobin was satisfied with Zulaikha’s performance yesterday and wants her to seize the opportunity to end Malaysia’s medal drought.

“Zulaikha executed her strategy well on court today (yesterday) and stayed patient,” said Jeffer.

“She has a chance in the quarter-finals and I hope she plays well again and wins.”

Zulaikha is the only Malaysian left in the girls’ singles after debutant Dania Sofea Zaidi’s run came to an end.

Dania fought hard in the first game but ended up losing 19-21, 10-21 to China’s eighth seed Huang Linran.

The 16-year-old, though, kept her hopes alive in the mixed doubles by combining with Datu Anif Isaac to secure a commanding 21-14, 21-11 victory over Singapore’s Mark Wong-Zheng Heng Li 21-14, 21-11.

Anif and Dania have a tough battle next against China’s Lin Xiangyi-Liu Yuanyuan for a place in the semi-finals.

In the boys’ doubles, top pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing had to come from behind to beat Indonesia’s Dexter Farrell-Wahyu Agung 17-21, 21-15, 21-15.

Aaron-Khai Xing will likely take on China’s Xiao Gaobo-Xue Ziyu next.