KUCHING: Sarawakian women’s singles shuttler, Astrid Wong Ling Ching, advances to round of 32 of the 2026 Indonesia Masters after a straight-sets win over Japan’s Kaoru Sugiyama at Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta today.
Astrid delivered a composed performance in her opening match to defeat Sugiyama 21-9, 21-18 in 38 minutes in their first-ever meeting.
She dominated the opening set with a commanding and tactful display, controlling rallies and forcing errors to race to a comfortable 21-9 win.
The second set proved to imposed more challenge as Sugiyama raises her intensity, engaging Astrid in a point-for-point battle.
However, the Sarawakian shuttler showed maturity and composure at crucial moments to regain control and close out the match with a 21-18 final set win.
Astrid is set to head-to-head against India’s up-and-coming shuttler, Anmol Kharb, tomorrow (Jan 21).
