Badminton: Lydia sends Mori packing JOHOR BARU: Young Lydia Cheah scored a major upset win in the first round of the Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) women's singles competition – sending last year's runners-up Kaori Mori packing at the Indoor Stadium here yesterday. Lydia defeated the third-fourth seeded Japanese 21-19, 8-21, 21-17. Two other Malaysians also advanced to the second round. Way to go: Lydia Cheah scored a major upset in the first round of the ABC women’s singles competition by beating Japan’s Kaori Mori 21-19, 8-21, 21-17 in Johor Baru yesterday. Eighth seed and national number one Wong Mew Choo eliminated Indonesian Ratnasari Francisca, winning the match 13-21, 21-17, 21-17 in 55 minutes. And 20-year-old Julia Wong turned the tables on Yulianti Maria Kristin, winning 17-21, 21-14, 21-14 to make up for the two previous defeats by the Indonesian in the final of the Singapore and Surabaya satellite tournaments. The 18-year-old Lydia, who will come under the charge of Rashid Sidek in the Project 2010-12 squad soon, showed tremendous fighting qualities against Mori and described the victory as a significant one in her career thus far. “This is the first time that I have beaten a seeded player in a major international tournament,” said Lydia, who is a regular participant in satellite tournaments but has yet to emerge as a winner. “It was a hard-earned victory and has certainly boosted my confidence for the second round match (against Japanese qualifier Mizuki Fujiii). “It does not matter who I have to play against. I will give my best. I am determined to go as far as possible this time after losing in the first round last year.” Julia is also glad that she came out a winner over Yulianti in a 52-minute match. “I did not want to lose to her for the third time. When I succeeded in unsettling her when I played at a faster pace, I grew in confidence. I had also learnt the lessons from the previous defeats ... I gave her too much respect then,” said Julia, who will play against Japanese Eriko Hirose in the second round.
i think lydia is a good player give her more exposure in major international tourney and i believe she will be the future mas ws star hehe she lost 2day but still i think she did well in ABC
yeah her game style is different from wmc. more aggressive n proactive. i can see her beating wmc in near future. maybe in 2-3 yrs.
i prefer she stays put with BAM from joining KLRC......i have nothing against KLRC, but most players were lack of fighting spirit n stamina at ABC. except for LTS.
here are her friendster account..i bet its real ...check it out guys.. http://www.friendster.com/28702070
When did she was born? Has she played any international tournament? In her IBF Profile doesn't appear anyone.. http://www.internationalbadminton.org/playerinfo.asp?category=s&playerid=64129
She definately one of our promising women player. Future champ. I'm sure one day she will make Malaysia proud.
Any recent photo of her? She is 18 year old and I think she has grown quite a bit. Hope She can make it. I hope BAM will give her a chance and expose her more so that she can come up faster like Saina Nehwal who is just 17, Xing Aiying who is 18 and Indonesia Pia who is just 18 too. Heard anything about her sister? She is unknown.
Seen her played. She is still inexperience in court handling like how to play with the wind behind her. Should send her for more tournament like what Rexy did to Woon/Tan in the mixed double.
Yes.. she should treat as future WMC.. She has all the in ingredients to challenges CHN women's dominant ... Hopes she quit playing doubles & keeps her full force in Singles !
after watching Lydia played in the World Championship, I find that Lydia lacked of finishing. She has the ability to win but she tends to lose out, I wonder whether it could be that she need some mental training. Do BAM give mental training to prepare players for tournament. Her game lack of maturity but with lots of potential. She has good height and her skill level could be improved. She has to improve on her speed and legs strenght. I am wondering whether she would be able to match the chinese in years to come.
Well, she can match the Chinese juniors, that we know. But she doesn't have the necessary tactical awareness when challenging seniors. Part of the reason is that she hardly trains with them.
