KUALA LUMPUR: Independent shuttler Lee Jan Jireh produced a stunning upset to book his place in an all-Malaysian men’s singles final at the Malaysia International Challenge in Ipoh on Saturday.
The world No. 354, who was dropped from the national squad last October, shocked India’s eighth seed Mithun Manjunath (world No. 130) with an 18-16, 15-3 victory at the Perak Badminton Arena.
His triumph set up a title clash against compatriot Eogene Ewe in Sunday’s final. World No. 80 Eogene secured his spot after defeating fellow Malaysian Chua Kim Sheng (world No. 182) 15-10, 11-15, 15-5. Eogene currently leads their head-to-head 2-0.
Malaysia also celebrated progress in the mixed doubles, where Tan Zhi Yang-Nicole Tan (world No. 359) battled past compatriots Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah-Dania Sofea Zaidi (world No. 493) 15-12, 10-15, 16-14 in a 52-minute thriller. They will face Indonesia’s Kenzie Yoe-Luna Saffana (world No. 789), who advanced after Low Han Chen-Vannee Gobi retired.
In men’s doubles, Faiq Haziq Masawi-Lok Hong Quan (world No. 118) overcame fellow Malaysians Beh Chun Men-Choi Jian Sheng (world No. 212) 15-9, 15-11 to book a final against Japan’s Keiichiro Matsui-Katsuki Tamate (world No. 84). The Japanese duo had earlier ousted Malaysia’s Nurfirdaus Azman-Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar 17-15, 15-8.
Malaysia’s hopes in the women’s doubles, however, ended when Chong Jie Yu-Vanessa Ng fell 10-15, 15-8, 15-8 to South Korea’s Jeon Jui-Kim Ha Na in the semi-finals.
