Malaysia’s Low Zi Yu and Dania Sofea disrupted a sequence of wins by hosts China on the penultimate day of the BWF World Junior Championships 2024. Their example was followed in the last match by men’s doubles compatriots Kang Khai Xin/Aaron Tai, who too stopped a Chinese pair after the home team’s surge through the day.
Low and Sofea’s upset of the top seeds prevented a Chinese sweep of five titles that was on the cards; women’s doubles is the only final that the hosts missed out on.
Kang Khai Xin and Aaron Tai
The Malaysians, who partnered in January and were at their first tournament together, were the underdogs in the contest against Chen Fan Shu Tian/Liu Jia Yue but stood up to the challenge.
Low, one of the youngest in the competition at just 14, showed maturity beyond her age and kept up an attacking barrage from the back, while the more diminutive Sofea created all the opportunities at the front.
The Malaysians had to endure some heart-stopping moments at the end. Facing nine match points, the Chinese kept chipping away at the lead before Sofea came up with a sharp winner, 16-21 21-16 21-17.
“We are very happy as we didn’t think we could win this match. We just wanted to play our best,” said Low.
“At the end when it got close, we told each other it’s OK, just stay focussed, don’t make simple mistakes. We had a big lead but when they got close we were so nervous. We were very happy to get that final point.”
Of their approach against the Chinese, Sofea said: “We just wanted to keep the attack. Their defence is very good, so we just had to follow the shuttle when we were on attack. We had to pick up the speed in the second game as our coach told us that we had to be faster than them.”
Ubaidillah Dazzles but Falters
Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah
In the men’s singles, Indonesia’s Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah dazzled with his skills, but failed to put on the finishing touches against Wang Zi Jun. The Chinese was frequently caught out by Ubaidillah’s deft touch, but sheer athleticism helped him prolong the points. The 21-19 22-20 contest was the standout match of the semifinals.
Wang Zi Jun faces last year’s runner-up He Zhe An, who said his eyes were on the title this time.
“I’m grateful for what I experienced last year – that’s why I’m here. My level was not as strong as this year. This time I’m going for gold,” said Hu Zhe An.
Chinese Surge
Lin Xiang Yi & Liu Yuan Yuan
» Apart from the women’s doubles, China stormed past the other opposition. Lin Xiang Yi gave himself a shot at a double after making the mixed doubles final with Liu Yuan Yuan and the men’s doubles final with Hu Ke Yuan.
» Chinese Taipei’s Lai Po Yu/Liang Ching Sun stand in Lin Xiang Yi/Liu Yuan Yuan’s way in the mixed doubles final.
» Women’s singles top seed Sarunrak Vitidsarn had an opportunity to extend her match to a third game, but third seed Xu Wen Jing closed it out 21-12 24-22 to make it an all-China final against 14th seed Yin Yi Qing.
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