PETALING JAYA: Rising Malaysian shuttler Dania Sofea Zaidi marked a dream return to international badminton by winning the mixed doubles title with Goh Boon Zhe at the Philippines International Challenge yesterday.
The unseeded pair produced a dominant display to upset fifth seeds Phuwanat Horbanluekit-Fungfa Korpthammakit of Thailand 21-4, 21-14 in just 25 minutes in the final in Manila.
The title capped a remarkable comeback for Dania, who had spent the last nine months recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to her left knee.
Boon Zhe-Dania had earlier knocked out Thai pairs – eighth seeds Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Patida Srisawat 21-6, 22-20 in the quarter-finals and Kitipat Karnnithiwat-Sunisa Lekjura 21-18, 21-14 in the semis.
Malaysia celebrated a double victory in Manila after men’s doubles pair Choong Hon Jian-Wong Vin Sean pulled off a stunning 21-16, 13-21, 21-15 win against sixth seeds Taufik Aderya-Alexius Subagio of Indonesia
Hon Jian-Vin Sean previous best result was only a quarter-final finish at the Phuket International Challenge this year.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Sarunrak Vitidsarn, 19, who is the younger sister of world No. 2 men’s singles shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn, won her first title of the year after beating compatriot Tidapron Kleebyeesun.
