PETALING JAYA: Women’s singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching is just one step away from capping a dream week on home soil as she sets up a showdown with Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara for the Malaysia Super 100 title.
Ling Ching has been in superb form throughout the tournament, continuing her giant-killing run by stunning fourth seed Pitchamon Opatniputh of Thailand 20-22, 23-21, 24-22 in a thrilling 80-minute semi-final at the Educity Sports Complex Indoor Arena in Iskandar Puteri yesterday.
Ling Ching said she was impatient in the opening game.
“I tried to make things difficult for her, but she just kept returning the shots, and I became impatient,” said Ling Ching.
“She was patient and focused on rallying. When I tried to create attacking opportunities, she changed her approach and I went on to win.”
On paper, the odds will be stacked heavily against Ling Ching when she faces Nozomi, the 2017 world champion and 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medallist, who once held the world No. 1 ranking.
“Nozomi has more experience and has played in many tournaments, so I’ll give my best,” she added.
Meanwhile, Malaysia secured the men’s doubles title after world junior champions Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai and Chia Wei Jie-Lwi Sheng Hao advanced the the final.
Khai Xing-Aaron defeated Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong 21-9, 25-23 while Wei Jie-Lwi Sheng Hao, knocked out top seeds Kakeru Kumagai-Horoki Nishi of Japan 18-21, 22-20, 21-19.
