Local shuttlers eliminated

Hosts Bangladesh turned into mere spectators in the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International badminton Challenge as the Alina Sultana and Shapla Akter pair was eliminated from the semifinals in women's doubles event as the last Bangladeshi shuttlers at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium yesterday.

Alina and Shapla surrendered to the Malaysian pair of Vivian Hoo and Yap Cheng Wen with a straight 21-3, 21-7 points defeat in the second semifinal. Despite the defeat, the local pair will be awarded bronze medals as per the bylaws of the tournament. The Malaysian pair will play the final against India's Aparna Balan and KP Sruthi pair, who beat Indonesian pair of Nita Violina and Putri Syaikah 21-19, 21-17.

In women's singles, Vietnam's Cao Cuong beat Malaysia's Zulhelmi Zullkifeeli 21-19, 15-21, 21-16 to set up a final clash against Malaysia's Teck Zhi Soo, who beat Indonesia's Ikhsan Leonardo 21-19, 19-21, 21-14 in the other semifinal.

In men's singles, Vietnamese Thuy Linh Nguyen will take on Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani as they beat India's Mugdha Agrey (21-13, 21-15) and compatriot Yasnita Enggira (21-8, 21-19) respectively.