KUALA LUMPUR: National back-up shuttlers won two titles at the Malaysia International Challenge (IC) in Ipoh on Sunday.
Eogene Ewe staged a spirited comeback against former teammate Lee Jan Jireh to win the men’s singles crown.
World No. 80 Eogene beat the 354th-ranked Jan Jirehin 8-15, 15-7, 15-13 in 48 minutes at the Perak Badminton Arena.
It was Eogene’s third win in as many meetings against Jan Jireh, who was dropped from the national team in October.
The victory also marked Eogene’s second title of the season, following his Slovenia Open triumph in May.
World No. 359 Tan Zhi Yang-Nicole Tan defeated Indonesia’s world No. 789 Kenzie Yoe-Luna Saffana 16-14, 15-10 in the mixed doubles final for their first title of the year.
In the men’s doubles final, world No. 118 Faiq Haziq Masawi-Lok Hong Quan lost 15-7, 15-13 to Japan’s world No. 80 Keiichiro Matsui-Katsuki Tamate.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
