Siti Nurshuhaini stands out at junior meet with perfect record

The Malaysian women’s singles department's wish for quality reinforcements from the junior ranks may be coming through in the form of Siti Nurshuhaini, who was a standout at the National Junior Ranking Challenge.

The 16-year-old had not only won Group B of the National Youth Ranking Challenge last month, but she also accomplished it with a perfect record to be crowned the group’s women’s singles champion.

On Friday, Siti did the same in the playoffs promotion to Group A with another perfect record without dropping a set.

Armed with a cool head and composed style of play, Siti brushed aside Joanne Ng (21-11, 21-9), Khor Jing Wen (21-13, 21-18) and Loh Zhi Wei (21-14, 21-13) in straight games to further boost her credentials and earn the praise of national junior development director Misbun Sidek.

"Coach Misbun did say that my overall gameplay has improved. But I still have a lot to work on, especially on my strength and movement as all the players in the top category are older and stronger than me.

"We do not have any more matchplay tournaments for this year, so I can use this opportunity to train harder on what is lacking in my game," Siti, who idolizes world number one Tai Tzu-ying, told Stadium Astro.

Misbun commended Siti’s never-say-die attitude in this junior tournament.

"She is a determined player. She goes after every shuttle and takes everything that is thrown at her," he told The Star.

Siti, who was last year's National School Sports Council Under-15 gold medalist, hopes to make it big on the international stage in the future.

"Playing in the senior team and representing the country in international tournaments, that is my goal. But for now, the plan is to continue improving and doing well in the junior team," she said.