Sameer Verma loses to Shi Yuqi in the Malaysia Open Badminton tournament

India's Sameer Verma put up a daunting effort before going down in three games in a pulsating opening round clash against World no 2 Chinese Shi Yuqi in the USD 750,000 Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. The 24-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, who had lost to Shi Yuqi in the semifinals of the World Tour Finals in December last year, suffered a heart-breaking 20-22 23-21 12-21 loss in a 65-minute men's singles in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy, however, made a good start to their campaign, eking out a 22-20 24-22 win over Ireland's Sam Magee and Chloe Magee in mixed doubles. 

The men's singles match was a close battle till 8-8, Sameer fall back to 11-16 but he fought back to make it 20-20 before being edged out by Shi Yuqi in the opening game.

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The second game was no different as the Indian was lagging 11-16 again but this time he not only clawed back at 20-20. And even though the Chinese had grabbed one match point, Sameer reeled off three points to take the match to the decider. In the third game, Shi Yuqi jumped to a 9-0 lead and didn't allow the Indian to fight back.  

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy made a good start.
• Shi Yuqi is the world number-two ranked player.
• Verma had lost to Shi Yuqi in the semifinals of the World Tour Finals.