# Malaysian upsets Thailand’s second seed Nitchaon Jindapol in the semis
# Kian Meng-Pei Jing in the mixed doubles final
# End of the road for Kah Ming-Juan Shen in the men’s doubles
By Rizal Abdullah
Malaysia’s world junior champion Goh Jin Wei continued her rich form in the USD120,000 Yonex Sunrise Indonesia Masters in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan – to reach her first Grand Prix Gold final.
In the semi-finals played on Saturday the Malaysian outplayed second seed Nitchaon Jindapol of Thailand 21-18, 21-5 in 32 minutes but faces another Thai hurdle in top seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan in Sunday’s final.
Jin Wei, seeded eight, has been impressive in Balikpapan and is one step away from winning her first Grand Prix Gold title. Busanan’s experience may give the Thai the edge but the manner in which the Malaysian destroyed Nitchaon in the semis and China’s Gao Fangjie in the quarter-finals will make the final a 50-50 affair.
In the other semi-final, which was an all-Thailand affair, Busnan was taken the distance by compatriot and seventh seed Pornpawee Chochuwong before prevailing 16-21, 21-15, 21-15.
Malaysia will also feature in the mixed doubles final when third seeds Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing brushed eighth seeds Edi Subaktiar-Richi Puspita Dili of Indonesia 21-19, 21-15 in a 45-minute encounter.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing – the Vietnam Grand Prix Gold winners – are ranked second in Malaysia, will be playing in their fifth final.
Their opponents in the final are Indonesia’s hopes Ronald Alexander-Melati Daeva Oktavianti. The second seeded Indonesian pair defeated fourth seeds Hafiz Faisal-Shela Devi Aulia 22-20, 21-16.
But the fairy tale run of Malaysia’s new combination Chooi Kah Ming-Low Juan Shen in the men’s doubles came to an end in the semi-finals. Kah Ming-Juan Shen gave a good account of themselves before losing to China’s Hang Chengkai-Zhou Haodong 21-18, 15-21, 21-19 after a 53 minute battle.
The Malaysians came through the qualifiers and beat Indonesia’s fourth seeds Hardianto Hardianto-Kenas Adi Haryanto 15-21, 21-15, 21-18 in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, China’s Huang Yuxiang (12th seed) upset top seed Wei Nan of Hong Kong to reach the men’s singles final. The Chinese won 21-11, 18-21, 22-20 and will face compatriot Shi Yuqi for the title. Shi Yuqi defeated Zhao Jun Peng 21-11, 15-21, 21-12 in the all-China semi-final.
SELECTED RESULTS (SEMI-FINALS)
Men’s singles
Huang Yuxiang (Chn) beat Wei Nan (Hkg) 21-11, 18-21m 22-20
Shi Yuqi (Chn) beat Zhao Jun Peng (Chn) 21-11, 15-21, 21-12
Men’s doubles
Han Cheng Kai-Zhao Haodong (Chn) beat Chooi Kah Ming-Low Juan Shen (Mas) 21-18, 15-21, 21-19
Wahyu Nayaka Arya Pankaryanira-Kevin Sanjay Prajongjai (Ina) beat Angga Pratama-Ricky Keranda Suwandi (Ina) 21-14, 18-21, 21-19
Women’s Singles
Busanan Ongbamrungphan (Tha) beat Pornpawee Chochuwong (Tha) 16-21, 21-15, 21-15
Goh Jin Wei (Mas) beat Nitchaon Jindapol (Tha) 21-18, 21-5
Mixed Doubles
Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (Mas) beat Edi Subaktiar-Richi Puspita Dili (Ina) 21-19, 21-15
Ronald Alexander-Melati Daeva Oktivianti (Ina) beat Hafiz Faisal-Shela Devi Aulia (Ina) 22-20, 21-16
