KUALA LUMPUR: Rising star Siti Zulaikha Azmi bounced back from the heartbreak of missing the World Junior Championships to claim her maiden senior title at the Malaysia International Series in Johor today.
World No. 154 Zulaikha cruised past China's Lu Sheng Xuan 21-13, 21-16 in just 36 minutes to win the women's singles crown.
The 18-year-old, who took bronze at the Asian Junior Championships in July, had been eyeing a strong showing at the World Juniors in Nanchang, China, last month.
However, a heel injury derailed her plans, forcing her to return to training only in early October.
National women's singles coach Jeffer Rosobin praised Zulaikha for her resilience and determination.
"This is a great start for Zulaikha in the senior ranks. I hope this title will motivate her to become an even better player," said Jeffer.
"We have a very young women's squad, and victories like this can inspire the entire team."
It was Zulaikha's first senior international triumph.
Her previous best was a runner-up finish at the Sri Lanka International Series in February.
Meanwhile, in the women's doubles, Cheng Su Hui-Lee Xin Jie fell short in the final, losing 21-13, 21-18 to China's Lin Fang Ling-Zhou Xin Ru.
RESULTS
*All finals)
** Malaysians unless stated
Men's singles: Richie Duta Richardo (Ina) bt Liu Hao Da (Chn) 21-17, 21-13;
Doubles: Emanuel Randhy Febryto-Reza Dwichaya Purnama (Ina) bt An Jun Chen-Chen Si Hang (Chn) 21-13, 21-17;
Women's singles: Siti Zulaikha Azmi bt Lu Sheng Xuan (Chn) 21-13, 21-16;
Doubles: Lin Fang Ling-Zhou Xin Ru (Chn) bt Cheng Su Hui-Lee Xin Jie 21-13, 21-18;
Mixed doubles: Shang Yi Chen-Lin Fang Ling (Chn) bt Chen Si Hang-Zhou Xin Ru 21-13, 21-16.