Shuttler Jayaram too exits Malaysia Open

Kuching (Malaysia) April 7 (IANS) Shuttler Ajay Jayaram lost to South Korean fifth seed Son Wan Ho in the men s singles quarter-finals to bring an end to India s campaign at the Malaysia Open Superseries here on Friday.

World No.20 Jayaram the lone Indian to have crossed the first-round barrier of the tournament was handed a 18-21 14-21 defeat in 37 minutes by Son.

The Indian had a tough beginning trailing 5-11 at the mid-game break in the first game. He showed stomach for fight as he reduced the deficit to one at 13-14.

However Son edged ahead to hold a 17-13 advantage but Jayaram battled back to equalise at the 17-point mark. At this crunch time world No.5 Son showed his quality to snatch three consecutive points to take the first game 21-18.

The second game was more closely fought at the beginning with the Indian trailing 8-11. After the break Son pulled ahead as he stepped up the gas aided by Jayaram s unforced errors.

A 17-9 lead meant that the game was buried as Son had it easy to canter to a 21-14 facile win to enter the semi-finals.

The women s singles semi-finals match-ups will be Chinese Taipei s Tai Tzu Ying facing South Korean Sung ji Hyun and Spanish star Carolina Marin taking on Nozomi Okuhara of Japa.

--IANS
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