Mission accomplished: Wong Ling Ching leaving the court after beating Indonesian Ni Kadek Dhinda in the quarter-finals. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
BANGKOK: Women’s singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching is used to expect a lot out of herself in tournaments. Not anymore.
Now, she has adopted a more relaxed approach – and it has worked.
Yesterday, the world No. 46 continued her fine progress by beating Indonesia’s world No. 82 Ni Kadek Dhinda 21-11, 21-17 at Thammasat University in Pathum Thani to reach the SEA Games semi-finals to assure herself of at least a bronze.
A medal is just reward for the 22-year-old Ling Ching, who notably stunned another Indonesian, world No. 10 Gregoria Mariska in the team event to help Malaysia win bronze.
It’s a huge leap ahead for the Sarawakian who suffered a first round exit in the last SEA Games in Cambodia in 2023.
“In Cambodia, I was just starting to play in bigger tournaments and was having too high expectations of myself,” said Ling Ching.
“Now, I’m getting used to competing in these types of events. I push myself in training but when it comes to tournaments, I tell myself to just play and enjoy my game. To be honest, I didn’t expect to win a medal as I knew there were many strong players this time.
“I just tried to chase every shuttle, be patient and try to force my opponent to make mistakes,” added Ling Ching.
Ling Ching is the first Malaysian to win a medal in the women’s singles since S. Kisona won gold at the 2019 Manila Games.
The youngster will next face home favourite and former world champion Ratchanok Intanon for a place in the final.
Ling Ching has played against the world No. 8 once before in the Japan Masters quarter-finals where she lost in straight games. She hopes to put up a better fight this time.
“I hope I can do better this time,” said Ling Ching.
It was the end of the road though for world No. 43 K. Letshanaa after she went down 18-21, 13-21 to Indonesia’s world No. 7 Putri Kusuma.
There was double joy in men’s singles as Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh made it into the last four after defeating Thai opponents. Jun Hao beat Panitchapon Teeraratsakul 21-18, 21-16 while Justin ousted Kantaphon Wangcharoen 21-15, 21-17.
RESULTS
Malaysians only
Quarter-finals
Men’s singles: Leong Jun Hao bt Panitchapon Teeraratsakul (Tha) 21-18, 21-16; Justin Hoh bt Kantaphon Wangcharoen (Tha) 21-15, 21-17.
Men’s doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bt Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren (Tha) 21-16, 21-16; Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bt Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul (Tha) 21-16, 21-19.
Women’s singles: Wong Ling Ching bt Ni Khadek Dhinda (Ina) 21-11, 21-17; Putri Kusuma bt K. Letshanaa 21-18, 21-13.
Women’s doubles: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah bt Benyapa Aimsaard-Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Tha) 21-11, 21-14; Febriana Dwipuji-Meilysa Trias (Ina) bt Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee 21-15, 21-12.
Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Terry Hee-Jin Yu Jia (Sin) 21-12, 21-14; Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran (Tha) bt Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin 21-12, 21-15.
