Letshanaa stuns Japanese rival to enter Malaysia Masters quarters

Letshanaa stuns Japanese rival to enter Malaysia Masters quarters

However, compatriot Goh Jin Wei was knocked out in the second round.

Letshanaa Karupathevan
World No 32 women’s singles shuttler K Letshanaa defeated ninth-ranked Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan 21-15, 21-17 in 45 minutes. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
National women’s singles shuttler K Letshanaa pulled off a major upset at the Malaysia Masters today by defeating Japan’s ninth-ranked Tomoka Miyazaki to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Letshanaa, ranked world No 32, was in top form as she led Tomoka all the way to win 21-15, 21-17 in 45 minutes, backed by a vociferous home crowd at Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil.

This is her first victory over the Japanese shuttler in their three encounters so far.

The Malaysian will take on Hina Akechi of Japan or China’s Han Qian Xi in the quarter-final tomorrow.

However, Letshanaa’s compatriot Goh Jin Wei fell to a much lower-ranked player from India, Ashmita Chaliha, in straight games.

The 55th-ranked Malaysian, who upset fourth-seeded Thai player Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the opener yesterday, appeared tired throughout today’s match, losing to 71st-ranked Ashmita in straight games of 21-13, 21-16 in 27 minutes.

This means Letshanaa is the only player left in the women’s singles category.

Malaysia’s challenge in the men’s singles category ended yesterday when Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh were eliminated in the first round.

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