PETALING JAYA: National women’s singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching’s (pic) run in the Swiss Open ended in the second round, but the tournament still provided valuable lessons for the 22-year-old.
Ling Ching fell 17-21, 15-21 to Indonesia’s top seed Putri Kusuma Wardani at the Jakobsville Hall in Basel on Thursday.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen felt Ling Ching delivered a commendable performance against the world No. 6 despite the defeat.
“She performed well and largely played to her current level. There are still things for her to learn, especially when tactical changes occur during a match and how they affect her play.
“More experience will help in such situations,” said Jonassen.
He said Ling Ching no longer appeared to be intimidated when facing elite players.
“She is now capable of challenging opponents at this level, which is a very positive sign,” he added.
Ling Ching will continue her European campaign at the Orleans Masters starting on Tuesday, where she is scheduled to face American Zhang Beiwen in the opening round.
Earlier, several other Malaysian representatives also exited in the second round of the Swiss Open, leaving men’s doubles pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing as the country’s sole quarter-finalists.
Aaron-Khai Xing continued their impressive run after upsetting Indonesia’s third seeds Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana 21-12, 21-23, 21-16.
They will next take on Denmark’s seventh seeds Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard for a place in the semi-finals.
Pros Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong lost 21-18, 19-21, 21-15 to Thailand’s Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul.
Malaysia’s sole representative in the men’s singles, Justin Hoh, also went down to India’s Tharun Mannepalli 14-21, 14-21.
Malaysians only
Men’s singles: Tharun Mannepalli (Ind) bt Justin Hoh 21-14, 22-20.
Men’s doubles: Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul (Tha) bt Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong 18-21, 21-19, 21-15; Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing bt Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana (Ina) 21-12, 21-23, 21-16.
Women’s singles: Putri Kusuma (Ina) bt Wong Ling Ching 21-17, 21-15.
Mixed doubles: Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu (Ina) bt Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing 21-8, 21-11.
