Siti Zulaikha Azmi was certainly not coasting it in her first match of the Women’s Singles PETRONAS Malaysia International Series 2024 but she showed enough spunk to make the quarterfinals of the meet here at the Educity Indoor Stadium in Johor.
After getting a bye in the first round of the Women’s Singles yesterday, Siti Zulaikha was up against China’s Shou Qun Yu in the second round clash of the Women’s Singles this afternoon.
But the 18-year-old lass from Melaka showed that she has plenty in the tank when she survived a handful of long rallies to set aside Qun Yu 21-19, 21-19 in the duel that lasted well over 50 minutes.
Second-seeded Siti Zulaikha’s opponent in the quarterfinals tomorrow would be against Joelle Chee Jie Ya from Singapore.
The 17-year-old Joelle overcame the challenge of Malaysia’s Sarah Ngu 21-14, 21-16.
In the meantime, Ong Xin Yee made her return from a recent spate of injuries with a quick 21-18, 21-17 demolition of Ung Yi Xing in just 24 minutes in her second round clash of the Women’s Singles.
The 17-year-old then alongside partner Carmen Ting stormed into the quarterfinals of the Women’s Doubles when they sidestepped compatriots Chan Wen Tse-Chong Jie Yu 21-10, 21-10.
Tomorrow, Xin Yee-Carmen will be fully tested when they take on Lin Fang Ling-Zhou Xin Ru from China.
Fang Ling-Xin Ru had beaten Malaysia’s Cen Lai Ting-Ung Yi Xing 21-16, 21-16.
Malaysia will also have another representative in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Singles tomorrow in Oo Shan Zi.
The Penangite, who defied traditions to be promoted into the senior national squad when she was 16-years-old last year, did not struggle too much to beat Tan Shen Thing 21-10, 21-15 in her second round encounter.
Shan Zi’s opponent tomorrow would be against Qiu Zi Ying from China, who had dumped top seed Bernice Teoh Kai Qi from Australia 21-9, 21-18 today.
