Malvika, hoping for a breakthrough on the circuit, had created a stir at China Open beating Paris Olympics bronze medallist Gregoria MariskaTunjung. (File)
Malvika Bansod made the semifinals of Hylo Open at Saarbrucken, Germany, after taking the initiative early against World No 31 Nguyen Thuy Linh, to win 21-15, 21-17 in 45 minutes.
Malvika, hoping for a breakthrough on the circuit, had created a stir at China Open beating Paris Olympics bronze medallist Gregoria MariskaTunjung. But a title run has eluded her, as she navigates the tough world of elite badminton. But her first co-challengers to this title, over the wrapping up stages of the European swing, will be Danish women.
The 23-year-old Indian, ranked No 34 searching for her first title at this level, runs into a Last 4 crowded by the top Danes – including Mia Blichfeldt and Line Christopherson. First up up will be the fast-rising Julie Dawall Jacobsen who muscled her way past Indian Rakshitha Ramraj 21-12, 21-17 in 31 minutes.
Malvika launched her attack early and used deft netplay to keep the Vietnamese Linh guessing early on. However, the marginally better ranked opponent caught up with the Indian in the second set, but Malvika was effective in slowing things down at that stage to safely saunter home.
Young Rakshitha, though, couldn’t find a longer run in the Super 300 event, as the Dane regularly struck deep and flat on her backhand.
Malvika will need to be sturdier on her backhand defense, where Julie tends to send them whizzing.
In the men’s singles section, Ayush Shetty, ranked No 51, beat No 55 Kalle Koljonen of Finland 21-18, 21-18. He will need to get past French Christo Popov, ranked No 28 to get into the finals, and the tall Bangalorean will need to keep his nerve at the net.
Danish Rasmus Gemke is top seed at the event.
