Malaysian women shuttlers give Iran a whitewash

JAIPUR: Malaysia's top women's singles player Wong Mew Choo was rested in the Uber Cup Asian Zone qualifying Group A tie against Iran at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here yesterday. 

In the absence of the world number 12, youngster Anita Kaur Raj helped Malaysia to the 5-0 win. Anita won the third singles match, beating Samira Zorra 21-2, 21-7. 

After losing to Taiwan 2-3 in their opening group match on Wednesday, Malaysia have to beat Indonesia to stay in the running for a place in the Finals from April 28-May 7. The top two teams in the two-group qualifiers make the grade. 

Malaysia complete their group ties against the Koreans today.  

RESULTSTHOMAS CUP 

Group A: Pakistan bt Iran 3-2, Malaysia bt Nepal 5-0 (Mohd Hafiz Hashim bt Paneru Pashupati 21-12, 21-9; Wong Choong Hann bt Thapa Balaram 21-7, 21-7; Kuan Beng Hong bt Mehta Indra 21-10, 21-11; Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Lin Woon Fui bt Paneru-Thapa 21-5, 21-3; Choong Tan Fook-Lee Chong Wei bt Mehta-Choudhari Ram Singh 21-7, 21-1) 

Group C: Hong Kong bt Singapore 3-2; India bt Singapore 4-1. 

Group D: Taiwan bt Sri Lanka 5-0 

UBER CUP 

Group A: South Korea bt Indonesia 5-0; Taiwan bt Iran 5-0; South Korea bt Taiwan 3-2; Malaysia bt Iran 5-0 (Julia Wong bt Behnaz Perzamanbin 21-7, 21-3; Norsyahliza Baharum bt Sahar Zamanian 21-7, 21-5; Anita Raj Kaur bt Samira Zorra 21-2, 21-7; Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty bt Behnaz Perzamanbin-Nigin Amirpour 21-9, 21-1; Ooi Sock Ai-Fong Chew Yen bt Nakisa Sultani-Samira Zorra 21-4, 21-4). 

Group B: Hong Kong bt Singapore 3-2; Hong Kong bt India 3-2; Thailand bt Pakistan 5-0.