PETALING JAYA: Sheer exhaustion curtailed women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei’s hopes of capturing her first Open title in the Thailand Masters.
Jin Wei was forced to throw in the towel while trailing 8-21, 3-6 against India’s Devika Sihag at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok yesterday.
The 26-year-old’s coach Nova Armada said that his charge just could not continue due to fatigue after she had to play three games in all her matches in the tournament before the final.
Jin Wei beat Taiwan’s Huang Ching-ping 21-18, 21-23, 21-11 in the first round and overcame China’s Han Qianxi 12-21, 21-10, 21-16 in the second round.
The independent player was also pushed the distance by fellow Malaysian K. Letshanaa in the quarter-final before prevailing 12-21, 21-17, 21-19.
It was similar in the last four against another compatriot Wong Ling Ching where Jin Wei won 17-21, 21-17, 21-16.
In contrast, Devika won all her matches in straight games.
“Jin Wei was not injured but she was really exhausted and her legs were heavy after she played three games in all her matches before the final. She felt pain all over her body,” said Nova.
“We didn’t expect all her matches to drag to three games. This is not an excuse but she just could not continue playing in the final.”
Nova though was happy with Jin Wei’s efforts after seeing her struggle with form and fitness for the past two years.
The two-time world junior champion last reached a final in the 2022 Vietnam Open where she finished runners-up to add to her second place in the 2016 Indonesian Masters and 2017 Taiwan Open.
Despite her struggles, the world No. 68 remains determined to prolong her career and has set her sights on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Jin Wei wants to move up the rankings and keep trying to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics,” said Nova.
“Her determination can be seen in this tournament. This is a good start for her.
“Her immediate goal is to break into the world’s top 32 rankings first. She wants to be in a good position when the Olympic qualifying period starts next year.”
Jin Wei made her debut in the 2024 Paris Olympics where she narrowly lost to South Korea’s Kim Ga-eun in the group stage.
In an effort to accelerate her rise in the rankings, Jin Wei will next compete in a few lower tier events, starting with the Singapore International Challenge from Feb 24-March 1 and the China Masters from March 10-15.
“My plan is for Jin Wei to play in International Challenge and Super 100 events next to help her move up the rankings faster,” said Nova.
“I only want her to compete in Super 500 tournaments from August as she has previously been losing in the first round in higher tier events.”
FINAL RESULTS
Men’s singles: Moh Zaki Ubaidillah (Ina) bt Panitchapon Teeraratsakul (Tha) 21-19, 20-22, 21-19.
Men’s doubles: Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana (Ina) bt Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin (Ina) 21-10, 21-17.
Women’s singles: Devika Sihag (Ind) bt Goh Jin Wei (Mas) 21-8, 6-3, ret.
Women’s doubles: Amalia Cahaya-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti (Ina) bt Bao Lijing-Li Yijing (Chn) 15-21, 21-15, 21-18.
Mixed doubles: Adnan Maulana-Indah Cahaya (Ina) bt Bobby Setiabudi-Melati Daeva (Ina) 18-21, 21-19, 21-17.
