KUALA LUMPUR: National women's singles shuttler S. Kisona remains hopeful of regaining her form, after another early loss today.
The 2019 Sea Games champion, who has been struggling to come out of her slump ever since the 2021 Uber Cup, fell 21-15, 21-11 to India's world No 100 Samiya Imad Farooqui in the opening round of the Taiwan Open.
The world No 54, who is bound for the World Championships in Tokyo next month, said: "Nobody wants to lose, but I have to accept that I am very far from who I was before the Uber Cup last year.
"Before that, I won the Spain International and some other titles, but now I am not at my peak.
"I have to stay patient, I am trying my best, but it has just been a roller-coaster ride for me," she said.
Meanwhile, Kisona's national teammate, Eoon Qi Xuan, did well to reach the second round with a 21-12, 21-18 win over Czech Republic's Tereza Svabikova. Qi Xuan will play the United States' Lauren Lam tomorrow, for a place in the quarter-finals.
In the men's singles, independent shuttler Soong Joo Ven extended his perfect record over compatriot Cheam June Wei with a 15-21, 21-17, 21-16 win.
Joo Ven, who trains alongside June Wei at the Sports Affairs Badminton Academy, will take on sixth seed Koki Watanabe of Japan next.
It was also a good day at the office for Malaysia's men's doubles, as both Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and the newly reunited combination of Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah got off to winning starts.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun stunned Taiwan's Chang Ko Chi-Po Li Wei 21-19, 11-21, 21-12 while 2014 Malaysia Open champions V Shem-Khim Wah ousted Taiwanese duo, Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Yang Ming Tse 13-21, 21-19, 21-12.
Independent pair Boon Xin Yuan-Wong Tien Chi also checked into the next round after defeating Vinson Chiu-Joshua Yuan of the United States 21-18, 21-17.
In the second round tomorrow, Wei Chong-Kai Wun will face Taiwan's Cheng Kai Wen-Liu Kuang Heng while V Shem-Khim Wah play homesters Lee Chia Han-Lin Yong Sheng. Xin Yuan-Tien Chi, will take on third seeds and local favourites, Lu Ching Yao-Yang Po Han.