KUCHING: Malaysia are through to the mixed doubles final at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships after Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal Ahmad and Low Zi Yu overcame a spirited challenge from Chinese Taipei in Yatsushiro, Japan, today.
The second seeds were made to work for their place in the title decider before defeating Lin Sheng Ming and Sun Liang Ching 21–16, 23–25, 21–10 in a hard-fought semi-final that lasted 53 minutes.
After taking the opening game, the Malaysians looked on course for a straight-games victory. However, a lapse in concentration and a handful of costly unforced errors allowed Lin and Sun to edge a tense second game 25–23, forcing the match into a decider.
Rather than allowing the momentum to slip away, Ahmad Redzuan and Zi Yu quickly regained control. Zi Yu’s composure at the front court, coupled with Ahmad Redzuan’s attacking play from the rear, steadied the Malaysians as they dictated the pace of the deciding game before pulling away for a commanding 21–10 victory.
Standing between the Malaysians and the continental junior crown are China’s Zheng Wei Gang and Li Meng Han, who secured their place in the final with a straight-games 21–12, 21–15 victory over compatriots Sun Qi Rui and Yang Dan in the other semi-final.
The victory also completed the first of two crucial matches for Zi Yu on Saturday.
She will return to court later alongside Sarawakian Genevie Lim in the girls’ doubles semi-finals, where the Malaysian pair will face Japan’s second seeds Aoi Banno and Yuzu Ueno for a place in another final.
