Chaliha’s run at Malaysia Masters ends after loss in quarterfinals

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22: India’s Ashmita Chaliha produced a spirited performance before going down narrowly to world No. 23 Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt of Denmark in the women’s singles quarterfinals of the Malaysia Masters Super 500 badminton tournament here on Friday.

Returning after an eight-month rehabilitation following a medial meniscus tear in her right knee, the 71st-ranked Indian squandered a hard-fought opening game advantage to lose 23-21, 18-21, 11-21 to the eighth seed in a contest lasting a little over an hour at the Axiata Arena.

Chaliha started brightly, opening up an 11-6 lead at the interval in the opening game before Line clawed her way back after the break. But the Indian held her nerve in a gruelling battle to pocket the game.

The second game followed a similar pattern as Chaliha again surged ahead 10-5 before the Dane broke away from 15-15 to force the match into a decider.

The final game, however, was largely one-way traffic as Line stamped her authority early and never allowed Chaliha a route back. (PTI)