Sudirman Cup: Malaysia kick off campaign with 3-2 win over England

Malaysia opened their Sudirman Cup campaign with a 3-2 victory over England on Monday to put one foot in the knockout stage of the competition held in Vantaa, Finland.

The Group D win saw Malaysia occupying second spot behind Japan, who secured a 5-0 whitewash over Egypt.

Mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See gave the national contingent the lead with an impressive 21-19, 21-18 victory Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith in 48 minutes.

It was a mammoth win for the world number 27 pair, who claimed their first win against their opponents ranked 20 spots higher than them on the world rankings.

While the pair took some time to get warmed up, when they did the Brits did not have an answer to the Malaysians’ overall play, with Cheah looking confident at the front court and Hoo eventually finding his groove at the back.

All the best at #SudirmanCup2021, Malaysia! ? pic.twitter.com/tWm4efEwxO

— Stadium Astro ? (@stadiumastro) September 26, 2021

Next up was Lee Zii Jia’s turn, and the world number eight duly put Malaysia 2-0 to the good with a 21-4, 21-5 triumph over Johnnie Torjussen.

The 202nd ranked Torjussen was completely overwhelmed in the first game, but found some momentum in the second to force Lee into higher gears.

After victory was wrapped up in 28 minutes, it was left to Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to seal victory over Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, which the world number eight pair did with a 22-20, 21-18 victory.

Thankfully victory was completed, as the national team faltered in their next two matches.

S.Kisona surprisingly dropped a point for Malaysia in the women’s singles after she lost 16-21, 20-22 to Abigail Holden, ranked 123 lower than her.

It was a sluggish performance from the Spanish International champion, who struggled to impose herself against a determined Holden who came to this tournament having recently won the Hellas International.

Chin up, Kisona! Esok kita bangkit utk lawan Mesir! England mencuri 1 mata menerusi Abigail Holden menewaskan S. Kisona di game ke-4 perlawanan pertama Piala Sudirman. #pialasudirman pic.twitter.com/cpLf5yPXeZ

— ASTRO ARENA (@ASTROARENA) September 27, 2021

Swiss Open Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah then conceded the second point against Chloe Birth-Smith, who won 21-18, 17-21, 21-10 in the women's doubles.

Malaysia will face Egypt on Tuesday, with victory to confirm their berth in the quarter-finals.

All the best at #SudirmanCup2021, Malaysia! ? pic.twitter.com/tWm4efEwxO

— Stadium Astro ? (@stadiumastro) September 26, 2021