Badminton: M'sian Pair Fail to Claim First International Title at Thai Open

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- National mixed doubles pair, Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Jemie Lai failed in their bid to secure their maiden international title this season after suffering an upset in the final at the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold Badminton Tournament, Sunday. The fifth seeded pair who finished as runners-up at the Malaysia Masters meet in January, lost 13-21, 21-16 and 12-21 to the unheralded Chinese pair of He Jiting/Du Yue in the final held at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok, according to Badminton World Federation (BWF) website;www.bwfbadminton.com. Malaysia's interest in the three other events-- men's doubles, women's singles and doubles -- fizzled out in the preliminary round while Soong Joo Ven lost to the fourth seed, Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in the semi-finals of the men's singles, Saturday. Meanwhile, Indonesia claimed two titles in the fourth-tier tournament -- men's and women's doubles. Fifth seeded pair, Berry Angriawan/Hardianto Hardianto defeated Raphael Beck/Peter Kaesbauer;21-16 and 21-16 in the men's doubles while Greysia Polii/Apritano Rahayu who are also the fifth seeds, edged the hosts’ pair of Chayanit Chaladchalam/Phataimas Muenwong;21-12 and 21-12 in the women's doubles. Thailand claimed victory in the women's singles event through their top player,Ratchanok Intanon who dislodged her compatriot and fourth seed, Busanan Ongbamrungphan, winning 21-18, 12-21 and 21-16. In the men's singles, third seeded B. Sai Praneeth of India defeated Jonatan;17-21, 21-18 and 21-19. -- BERNAMA