Zi Yu-Noraqilah bow out Down Under

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s challenge at the Australian Open came to an end on Friday after Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan bowed out in the women’s doubles quarter-finals in Sydney.

The world No. 84 saw their commendable run halted by Indonesia’s world No. 15 Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Meilysa Trias Puspitasari, going down 21-13, 21-17 at the Quaycentre.

Despite the defeat, Zi Yu-Noraqilah can take plenty of positives from the tournament after reaching their maiden World Tour Super 500 quarter-final in only their second appearance at that level.

Their run included a notable victory over Taiwan’s world No. 8 Hsieh Pei Shan-Hung En Tzu in the opening round.

The breakthrough run is expected to be rewarded when the latest world rankings are released next Tuesday, with Zi Yu-Noraqilah projected to break into the top 70 for the first time in their careers.

The pair are not expected to compete together again until the Taiwan Open from July 28-Aug 2.