Horsens, April 27, 2026 – The Europe Today: Malaysia women’s badminton team sealed a long-awaited return to the quarter-finals of the Uber Cup Finals 2026 after 16 years, delivering a commanding 5-0 victory over South Africa women’s badminton team in their second Group B tie at Forum Horsens on Sunday.
Malaysia’s top women’s singles player K. Letshanaa set the tone with a dominant performance, brushing aside Johanita Scholtz 21-6, 21-10 in just 22 minutes.
The momentum continued as Wong Ling Ching extended the lead, overpowering Chloe Lai 21-8, 21-4 in a swift 19-minute contest.
Malaysia secured their quarter-final berth through Siti Zulaikha Muhammad Azmi, who comfortably defeated Elme De Villiers 21-11, 21-5, ensuring an unassailable 3-0 lead.
The national side maintained their intensity in the doubles fixtures, with young pair Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting overcoming a stronger challenge to beat the combination of Scholtz and Amy Ackerman 21-16, 21-14.
Debutants Chong Jie Yu and Low Zi Yu completed the clean sweep, defeating De Villiers and Anri Schoonees 21-12, 21-5.
With the victory, Malaysia matched their best-ever performances in the Uber Cup, having previously reached the last eight in 2004, 2008, and 2010.
Malaysia had opened their campaign with a narrow 3-2 win over Türkiye women’s badminton team and will conclude their Group B fixtures against six-time champions Japan women’s badminton team.
The tournament, which began on April 24, will run until May 3, with Malaysia now aiming to build on their strong group-stage showing in the knockout rounds.
