Malaysia Masters 2024: PV Sindhu reaches first final of season; Viktor Axelsen & Lee Zii Jia set for epic showdown

PV Sindhu will face Wang Zhi Yi for the Malaysia Masters crown.

India’s PV Sindhu had to summon all her fighting spirit to overturn a one-game deficit and outlast a spirited Busanan Ongbamrungphan in a grueling Malaysia Masters 2024 semi-final on Saturday.

The two-time Olympic medalist prevailed 13-21, 21-16, 21-12 after an epic 88-minute tussle against the talented Thai shuttler at the Axiata Arena. While Sindhu had dominated her opponent previously, this encounter was one of her toughest against a Thai player.

The 20th-ranked Busanan came out all guns blazing, playing an aggressive brand of badminton to take the opening game. The 28-year-old Indian looked subdued and struggled with her judgment early on, as Busanan employed an array of deft touches and acute angled strokes to dominate the frontcourt exchanges.

However, Sindhu remained undeterred and fought back tenaciously from 7-7 in the second game to force a decider. A 31-shot rally at this juncture proved to be the turning point, as the Indian started mixing up her clears and tight net shots to regain control.

In the third game, a fresher and fitter-looking Sindhu raced to an 8-2 lead, roaring and fist-pumping with every point as she began to impose herself. The World No. 15 did not allow Busanan any breathing room, displaying superior stamina over the Thai player in the closing phases.

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In other semi-finals, Wang Zhi Yi made short work of compatriot Wang Yi Man, winning 21-9, 21-11 to set up the marquee final against Sindhu.

On the men’s side, home favorite Lee Zii Jia booked his spot in the Malaysia Masters final with a 21-15, 21-17 win over Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long Angus.

The 26-year-old Malaysian will have a chance to win his first top-level title on home soil when he takes on World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the championship match.

Axelsen, the reigning Olympic champion, looked imperious in his 21-6, 21-13 demolition of China’s Lu Guang Zu to reach his first final of the 2024 season in emphatic fashion.

The Dane will be looking to carry this form into the final as he begins his preparations for the defence of his Olympic title in Paris in earnest.

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