KUALA LUMPUR: Girls' singles shuttler Lim Zhi Shin pulled off a major upset in the second round of the World Junior Championships in Nanchang, China, today.
The 17-year-old Malaysian stunned eighth seed Mysha Omer Khan of the United Arab Emirates, winning 21-18, 21-14 in just 28 minutes to book her place in the third round at the Nanchang International Sports Centre in Jiangxi.
Zhi Shin, ranked No. 388 in the junior rankings, will face Germany's Gloria Poluektov in the next round tomorrow.
BA of Malaysia junior coach Jeffer Rosobin praised Zhi Shin for her incredible performance in toppling a seeded player.
"She showed amazing fight and played with a lot of confidence. I hope she can maintain this consistency in her next match," said the Indonesian coach.
Compatriot Ong Xin Yee also advanced to the third round, after a convincing 21-11, 21-12 win over Sri Lanka's Rashmi Mudalige.
However, Oo Shan Zi couldn't join them, falling 24-28, 21-15, 21-16 to India's Navya Kanderi.
In the mixed doubles, Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah-Dania Sofea Zaidi cruised to a 21-18, 21-6 win over Slovakia's Andrej Suchy-Johanka Ivanovicova.
Other Malaysian successes in the doubles came from Loh Zi Heng-Clarissa San, who breezed past England's Jason Ou-Lila Dundas 21-11, 21-9, and Wee Yee Tern-Nicole Tan, who triumphed 24-22, 21-15 against Turkey's Bugra Aktas-Sinem Yildiz.
However, Tan Zhi Yang-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan bowed out, losing 21-3, 21-14 to China's second seeds Lin Xiang Yi-Liu Yuan Yuan.
In boys' singles, Sng Wei Ming secured a comfortable 21-6, 21-10 victory over New Zealand's Alex Galt to advance.
Ninth seed Faiq Haziq also moved on, defeating Zeth Quiambao of the Philippines 21-13, 21-13, while Kong Zou Swin overcame Andrej Suchy 21-13, 21-10.
Noraqilah returned to action in the girls' doubles, partnering Nicole Chau to defeat the Netherlands' Sterre Bang-Inger Pothuizen 21-18, 21-15.
They were joined by Zi Yu Low-Dania Sofea, as well as Xin Yee-Carmen Ting, in the next round.
In boys' doubles, Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing had an effortless win, trouncing Mongolia's Nyamaa Dorjijav and Khurts Erdene Enkh 21-0, 21-2.
Faiq played a second match of the day, teaming up with Lok Hong Quan to defeat Portugal's Santiago Batalha-Dinis Maia 21-14, 21-7.