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FRIDAY | MAY 22, 2026

Malaysian Paper

National women’s singles K. Letshanaa in action against Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki at the 2026 Perodua Malaysia Masters at Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

N ATIONAL No. 1 women’s singles shuttler K. Letshanaa pulled off a major upset after defeat ing Japan’s world No. 9 Tomoka Miyazaki to storm into the quarter finals of the 2026 Malaysia Masters at the Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil yes terday. Backed by the home crowd, Letshanaa delivered one of her best performances to outclass Miyazaki 21-15, 21-17 in 45 minutes, sealing her first-ever win over a world top 10 player and her best achievement at the tournament. Yesterday’s result meant Letshanaa becomes the first Malaysia womens single shuttler to feature in the last eight after profe sional Goh Jin Wei last played in 2019. The 23-year-old is now the sole Malaysian women singles player left in the competition following Goh Jin Wei’s exit after losing to India’s Ashmita Chaliha 21-13, 21 16. Letshanaa said her consistency and confidence were the main fac tors behind her impressive victory

of fans greatly helped in yesterday’s win. “Today’s opponents weren’t just any challenger, the Indonesians are in the top best 20 in the world, so we need to be always prepared for a tough game,” he said after the match. Tang Jie-Ee Wei will play against Chinese scratch pair Gao Jia Xuan Wei Ya Xin, who beat Thailand’s Supak Jomkohand Ornicha Jongsathapornparn 21-13, 21-13. Professional mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai failed to reach the quarterfinals when they suffered a shocking loss to world No. 37 Wu Guan Xu-Lee Chia Hsin of Taiwan 19-21, 21-7, 19-21 in 52 minutes. Earlier, nation’s men’s doubles brigade remains the country’s big gest weapon at the Malaysia Masters after three pairs stormed into the quarterfinals today. Leading the charge were top seeds and national No. 1 duo Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who disman tled France’s Julien Maio-William Villeger 21-12, 21-10. The 2022 world champions will next face China’s Hu Ke Yuan-Lin Xiang Yi for a place in the semifi nals. Professional pair and third seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani had little trouble overcoming com patriots Chia Weijie-Teo Ee Yi 21-14, 21-12 in 29 minutes. Goh felt there was still room for improvement heading into their match against either eighth seeds Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi of Japan or Taiwan’s Chen Zhi Ray-Lin Yu Chieh in the last eight. Also advancing are fifth seeds Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who overcame their younger compatriots Kang Khai Xing Aaron Tai 21-12, 22-20 to secure a quarterfinal meeting with American pair Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith. The Americans prevented an all Malaysian quarterfinal showdown after prevailing against professional duo Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong 21-14, 21-18 in the sec ond round. – Bernama

over Miyazaki. “I think she was under pressure today, but the consistency that I had and the confidence that I had made her feel even more pressured. “That made it difficult for her, but I feel that she played her game as well,” she told reporters after the match. Letshanaa, who will next face Japan’s Hina Akechi today for a place in the semifinals, said she is determined to stay grounded and focus on giving her best. “As I always say, I’m going to give my best and put up a good fight. I’m not putting pressure on myself that I must win, but as long as I give my best on court, then we will see the outcome,” she said. Meanwhile, mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei were also the only Malaysian pair to advance to the 2026 Malaysia Masters mixed doubles quarterfinals after they beat Indonesia’s world No. 16 pair Amri Syahnawi-Nita Violina Marwah 21-19, 22-20 in 47 minutes yesterday. Chen admitted that home ground advantage and the support

Giant killer Letshanaa shocks Japanese world No. 9 to reach maiden Masters quarterfinals, Tang Jie-Ee Wei lone Malaysians through in mixed doubles

National mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie (left) and Toh Ee Wei in action against Indonesian mixed doubles yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Emery urges Villa to use Europa triumph to fuel bold new era

UNAI EMERY urged Aston Villa to use their his toric Europa League final triumph against Freiburg as the foundation for an “ambitious” new era. Emery’s side ended the club’s 30-year trophy drought with a stylish 3-0 win in Istanbul yester day. Spectacular first half goals from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia put Villa in con trol before Morgan Rogers netted after the inter val to kill off outclassed Freiburg. Villa’s first trophy since the 1996 League Cup was also their first major European prize in 44 years. After long spells in the doldrums prior to Emery’s arrival to replace the sacked Steven Gerrard in 2022, Villa are back among the elite both in the Premier League and Europe.

European trophy, emphasised how far they have come since he arrived in 2022 with the club lan guishing near the Premier League relegation zone. “This final is confirmation of how we are pro gressing. It is very important,” he said. “Of course my dream was to play in Europe and play to win trophies. We played the Conference League semifinal and Champions League quarter finals. We were very close. “This club won the European title in 1982. And again competing for a title in Europe is something which makes sense of everything we are doing.” On an unforgettable evening on the banks of the Bosphorus, Emery and his team ensured they will be ranked alongside the 1982 heroes as Villa legends forever. – AFP

times and clinching it once with Villarreal. “It’s fantastic. Europe gave us a lot. For myself as well. I’m always very grateful for Europe. For every competition but especially the Europa League,” the Spaniard said. “The support I had with Valencia, with Sevilla, with Villarreal and here at Villa. We played it in a very serious way this year, so focused. “Getting this trophy adds experience for us. And those experiences for the players are impor tant. Because we can play next year trying as well to be in contention for trophies.” Villa last won a major continental trophy when they stunned Bayern Munich to win the 1982 European Cup. For Emery, following in the footsteps of Tony Barton as Villa’s second manager to land a major

They have qualified for next season’s Champions League and Emery called on his play ers and the club’s hierarchy to match his desire to keep Villa in contention for silverware. “I am myself ambitious and of course I need support. The owners, everyone that works in the club. Development is everything,” he said. “The players are following us. We are doing it together. But we must try to set this ambition, being clear and realistic. As a team, ambitious and improving. This is our next step. “We are getting stronger but we are trying to be demanding. Next year we will play in Champions League and the Premier League is the most difficult in the world. This is the challenge.” Emery has now won the Europa League five times after leading Sevilla to the trophy three

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