Young shuttlers smash their way to two titles in Slovenia International

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 -- Malaysian youngsters put on a smashing performance to walk away with two titles at the 2021 Slovenia International badminton championships at the Dras Centre in Maribor today.

Mixed doubles pair Choong Hon Jian-Toh Ee Wei claimed the first title of the day when they beat Indonesia’s Muh Erwiansyah-Sofy Asharunnisa 21-18, 21-18 in a 32-minute title showdown.

The young Malaysian pair, both aged 20, had earlier defeated the Denmark-Sweden pair of Kirstoffer Knudsen-Malena Norrman 23-21, 21-17 in the last four.

It was the world number 263 pair’s second international title after clinching the Polish Open on their debut in March.

Low Yeen Yuan-Valeree Siow then made it a double joy for Malaysia when they stole the show to bag the women's doubles crown.

The unseeded Malaysians, both 19, stunned third seed and world number 133 Isabella Nielsen-Marie Steffensen of Denmark 21-11, 21-15 for their first international title.

Yeen Yuan-Siow had earlier advanced to the final after a hard-fought 13-21, 21-13, 21-12 win over Ukraine’s Mariia Stoliarenko-Yelyzaveta Zharka.

Twins Cheng Su Hui-Cheng Su Yin failed to make it an all-Malaysian women's doubles final after going down 21-15, 17-21, 19-17 to Isabella-Marie.

 In men’s doubles, Beh Chun Meng-Goh Boon Zhe were shown the exit in the semi-finals after losing 9-21, 18-21 to Indonesians Muh Erwiansyah-Patra Rindorindo.

Malaysia’s challenge in women’s singles also ended in the last four when Siti Nurshuhaini Azman fell 15-21, 17-21 to Mutiara Puspitasari of Indonesia.

-- BERNAMA