Malaysia’s Wong Mew Choo plays a shot to South Korea’s Hwang Hye Youn yesterday. Mew Choo won 21-16, 21-5.
WONG Mew Choo rattled the South Koreans by earning the first point but it did little to inspire her teammates as Malaysia lost 3-1 in the Uber Cup quarter-finals at Istora Senayan yesterday.
However, if only the national coaches had decided to retain the Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui combination, it could have been a different story.
Mew Choo produced another grand performance in her match against Hwang Hye Youn.
However, it did not start smoothly for her as she was trailing 5-10 and 7-12 before Mew Choo roared back by capitalising Hye Youn’s weakness at the baseline. The Malaysian won the first game 21-16.
Mew Choo was more superior in the second game as she took a quick 13-2 lead. The tiring Korean could not do much as she managed only three points after that before conceding the game 21-5 in a match which lasted 34 minutes.
It was Mew Choo’s first victory in three meetings with the Korean.
The national coaches retained Lim Pek Siah-Wong Pei Tty as the first doubles, hoping they would repeat their fantastic performance against Japan on Tuesday.
However, it backfired as the Malaysians were humiliated 21-13, 21-4 by Lee Hyo Jung-Kim Min Jung for Korea to level the tie.
Julia Wong, who secured Malaysia’s winning point in their 3-0 win over Japan, was expected to win against Lee Yun Hwa - a player ranked nine rungs below her in the women’s world ranking - in the second singles.
However, the Malaysian lost 21-14, 21-13 in 34 minutes.
In the second doubles, scratch pair Chin Eei Hui-Ng Hui Ling gave some hope of upsetting Lee Kyung Won-Ha Jung Eun when they won the opening game 21-17.
However the Malaysians failed to maintain their rhythm and lost the second 21-16 and the decider 21-12.
Mew Choo said despite the loss, it was a victory for the Maalaysian women.
“We played our hearts out and I believe we bowed out with dignity. Other countries will take notice of our performance in the future,” said Mew Choo.
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