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

(Courtesy : Badminton Photo)
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.
Trending Indian Sports articles
- Top 10 most followed sports in India in 2024
- Can Indian boxers still qualify for Paris Olympics 2024 after disappointment at 1st World boxing Qualifiers?
- What are the qualification marks of all Track & Field events for Paris Olympics 2024?
- List of Indian athletes to have secured qualification for Paris Olympics 2024
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.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
- National Games 2025 full schedule, venues, dates, sports, all you need to know
- Mathias Boe talks about growth of World Padel League in India
- Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2025: Full list of participants
- Adarshini Shri, Raunak Chouhan headline India's squad for Dutch and German Junior Internationals
- National Games 2025: Badminton schedule, live streaming details
- Indian Sports Calendar February 2025: ICC Champions Trophy, National Games, FIH Pro League and more events to watch
- Top five Indian badminton players with most BWF World Tour titles
- Who are the all-time highest-ranked Indian badminton players in each category?
- Thailand Masters 2025: Updated Schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details
- BWF Thailand Masters 2025: Live streaming, TV Channel, where and how to watch?