KUCHING: National women’s doubles pair, Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah, continued their breakout run in style after marching into the Baoji China Masters women’s doubles final on Saturday (May 16).
Facing fifth seeds Wang Yi Duo-Wang Zi Meng of China in the semi-finals, the young Malaysians produced a composed and fearless display to seal a straight-games 21-19, 21-18 victory.
The opening game proved to be a fiery and tightly contested battle, with both pairs trading quick exchanges and aggressive rallies throughout.
However, Zi Yu-Noraqilah showed greater composure in the closing points to edge ahead and snatch the first-game advantage.
The Malaysians then endured a sluggish start to the second game and briefly trailed during the opening exchanges.
But momentum soon swung heavily in their favour.
Adopting a far more aggressive approach to break down the Chinese pair’s defensive setup, Zi Yu-Noraqilah raised the tempo through relentless attacking play, sharper net control and steep placements that left their opponents scrambling.
The Malaysian duo eventually surged into a commanding lead before a string of unforced errors allowed the Chinese pair to claw their way back into the contest point by point.
Still, Zi Yu-Noraqilah held firm under late pressure to close out the second game 21-18 and book their place in the final.
Awaiting them in the title clash are Japan’s Sumire Nakade-Miyu Takahashi.
The result also marks Zi Yu-Noraqilah’s first-ever BWF World Tour Super 100 final together and what could also be their first Super 100 title should they claim victorious.
