Just when many thought Malaysia were on track to make the final in at least one final the Malaysians were blown away in the men’s singles and the women’s doubles in the Sunrise-Yonex Indonesian Masters Grand Prix Gold in Palembang on Saturday.
Liew Daren, seeded ninth, could not last against India’s fifth seed H.S. Prannoy and was beaten 21-14, 14-21, 21-14 after 57 minutes battle while privateer Zulfadli Zulkifli continued his erratic badminton career after he was shown the exit by Firman Abdul Kholik. The Indonesian youngster won 21-17, 21-15 in 47 minutes.
Despite his defeat, Liew Daren can take consolation that he has shown improvement in his overall performance. Daren Liew’s poor showing in the Commonwealth Games and earlier in the Thomas Cup Finals, saw him getting the boot from the Malaysian team to the Incheon Asian Games team.
Malaysia also failed to make the women’s doubles final when Keshya Nurvita Hanadia-Devi Tika Permatasari stopped Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean with a 21-19, 21-13 win in 50 minutes.
In the women’s singles Ruselli Hartawan upset second seeded Maria Fedbe Kusumastuti in a three-set thriller 21-15, 8-21, 21-16 to set up a title clash against Adrianti Firdasari who beat Purwaningtyas Elyzabeth 21-12, 21-7.
SELECTED RESULTS
MEN
Singles
H. S. Prannoy (Ind) beat Liew Daren (Mas) 21-14, 14-21, 21-14
Firman Abdul Kholik (Ina) beat Zulfadli Zulkifli (Mas) 21-17, 21-15
WOMEN
Singles
Adrianti Firdasari (Ina) beat Purwaningtyas Elyzabeth (Ina) 21-12, 21-7
Ruselli Hartawan (Ina) beat Maria Febe Kusumastuti (Ina) 21-15, 8-21, 21-16
