Badminton News: Malaysia Players Halted in Korea Masters Semifinals

Independent badminton player Soong Joo Ven failed to reach the final of the Badminton Korea Masters. The world number 68 badminton player put on a strong performance but lost 21-17, 21-23, 21-11 in the semifinal against Kodai Naraoka of Japan in Gwangju yesterday.  After losing the first game, the 26-year-old looked “down and down” as he trailed 4-10 against world number 47 Kodai in the second game. To Joo Ven’s credit, he dug in and knit together hard. Saved two match points to win the game 23-21 and force decisive extra time.

But Joo Ven was unable to match his opponent in the deciding game when he fell in the 85th minute. The semi-final show at Korea Master is still one of Joo Ven’s best shows in recent years. His previous best achievement was reaching the same stage at the Thailand Open in 2017. Naraoka then met Jeon Hyeok Jin of South Korea, who beat Thailand’s Sitthikom Thammasin 21-18, 21-15, in the final. In mixed doubles, world number 13 Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Lai Jemie lost 21-11, 21-15 to Chinese pair Ou Xuanyi/Huang Yaqiong. The Chinese pair will meet compatriots and top seeds Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping, who beat South Korean pair Yong Jin-Lee Yu Rim 21-12, 21-8, in the final.

Joo Ven has given his best

Meanwhile, Malaysia ensured the women’s title at the Dutch International event. Youngsters Siti Nurshuhaini Azman and Myisha Khairul challenged the odds to make the all-Malaysian final in Wateringen. Siti performed beautifully when she got rid of fifth seed Abigail Holden of England 21-18, 21-6. Myisha beat seventh seed Yeung Sum Yee of Hong Kong, winning 17-21, 21-17, 21-6. For Joo Ven, he has done his best and is satisfied with his performance in Korea this time. Especially when he managed to beat a better-ranked opponent on his way to the semi-finals. Soong Joo Ven, who previously received a surprise, managed to beat Japan’s famous player, Kodai Naraoka 17-21, 23-21, 11-21 in action at Gwangju Yeonju Stadium. The win saw Naraoka face off against the host player, Jeon Hyeok Jin, in the final tomorrow after beating Thailand’s Sitthikom Thammasin 21-18, 21-15 in another semi-final action.

“I’m satisfied with his performance because if I wanted to be included except in the first half. My opponents are all ranked better than me. But even the opponents in the first half actually played well. It’s not easy to win. So I’m very happy with my performance,” said Joo Ven, who is ranked 68th in the world. Meanwhile, national professional mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie’s desire to advance to the final was not achieved when they lost to Chinese pair Ou Xuan. Yi/Huang Ya Qiong 11-21, 15-21.

“Too many mistakes I made in today’s match; I couldn’t keep my focus in the ring. Because of that, our confidence level has decreased, and I’m not clear on what I need to do on the field,” said Shevon. Huat-Shevon will soon be preparing for the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Manila, Philippines, from April 26 to May 1st.

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