Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha’s journey at the Malaysia Masters ended as she was defeated by former European Games champion Line Kjaersfeldt of Denmark in the women’s singles quarterfinals. Chaliha, ranked 71st in badminton, won the first game but eventually lost to her 23rd-ranked opponent in a 61-minute match.
Chaliha started strong, leading 11-6 at the mid-game interval. Despite a strong comeback from Kjaersfeldt, Chaliha managed to secure the first game 23-21. However, Kjaersfeldt turned the tide in the second game, winning 21-18 and forcing a decider.
In the final game, Kjaersfeldt dominated, taking a commanding lead of 13-6. Chaliha couldn’t recover, and Kjaersfeldt won the decider 21-11, ending India’s run in Kuala Lumpur. The Indian contingent faced defeats in other matches as well, with Malvika and Devika Sihag exiting in the women’s singles rounds.
India’s men’s doubles team, MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan, also bowed out after losing to a Chinese pair. The mixed doubles duo of Sathwik Reddy Kanapuram and Radhika Sharma suffered a defeat against the USA’s Presley Smith and Jennie Gai. India’s men’s singles campaign ended with Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy’s defeats in the first round.
