Chow Mei Kuan-Lim Meng Yean had to settle for second best in the USD350,000 Yonex Sunrise India Open when the country’s top women’s doubles pair fell at the final hurdle in New Delhi on Sunday.
The third-seeded Malaysians were beaten 11-21, 23-25 after a fighting display in the second game against top seeds and defending champions Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu in a 51-minute final.
Mei Kuan-Meng Yean came close to forcing a decider but the Indonesians kept their cool to deny the Malaysians who paid a price for their eagerness to take the game.
The Malaysians were impressive in the second game but were erratic when it mattered most to allow their opponents to retain the title and pocket USD27,650 in prize money that came with the title. For their efforts, Mei Kuan-Meng Yean took home USD13,300.
Still, it was a commendable effort from the Malaysians who next head to Kuala Lumpur for next week’s USD700,000 Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil (April 2-7) with high hopes of upsetting the odds.
Enroute to the final the 17th ranked Malaysians ousted No 2 seeds and world No10 Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai in three games -18-21, 21-19, 21-19.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s badminton queen Ratchanok Intanon won her third India Open title when she outclassed China’s third seed He Binjiao 21-15, 21-14 in 46 minutes. The fourth-seeded Thai took home USD26,250 while the loser settled for USD13,300. RIZAL ABDULLAHÂ
