Birthday girl Jin Wei books final berth in Thailand Masters

It is the first time that a Malaysian women’s singles player has reached a World Tour Super 300 final.

Goh Jin Wei defeated compatriot Wong Ling Ching in three games in the women’s singles semi-final at the Thailand Masters today.  (EPA Images pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 National women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei, who turned 26 yesterday, made history by qualifying for the Thailand Masters final after defeating compatriot Wong Ling Ching this evening.

This marks the first time a Malaysian women’s singles player will feature in a World Tour Super 300 final.

Jin Wei, a former Malaysian No 1, overcame the current national second-ranked player Ling Ching 17-21, 21-18, 21-16 in 57 minutes at Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium.

She later told Bernama she did not expect to emerge victorious, citing fatigue from her previous match and a high number of unforced errors after suffering a bruise to her right thumb.

“It was a close contest today. Ling Ching controlled large parts of the match, but I was fortunate to come through as the winner,” she said.

She added that she has not set any specific target for the tournament, choosing instead to focus on doing her best and achieving the best possible result, and would give her best in the final tomorrow.

Penang-born Jin Wei, currently ranked world No 68 after struggling with stomach ailments over the past few years, will face India’s world No 63 Devika Sihag, who earlier upset Taiwan’s Huang Yu Hsun 22-20, 21-13.

Jin Wei defeated several higher-ranked players en route to the final, including national No 1 K Letshanaa in the quarter-final.

The only other Malaysian women’s singles shuttler to win a World Tour title is Ho Yen Mei, who won the Russian Open in 2018, although it was a lower-tier Super 100 championship.

The winners in the singles category will take home US$18,750 (RM73,886), and the runners-up US$9,500 (RM37,435). The semi-finalists will each receive US$3,625 (RM14,285). - FMT