NAGPUR’S pride and among India’s best shuttlers, Malvika Bansod almost stunned defending champion and World No 1 Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the Asia Badminton Championship under way in Dubai on Wednesday.

In her opening match of the women’s singles of the prestigious event, Malvika was drawn against the top seed Akane. With nothing to lose, the Indian southpaw gave it her all and made the famed rival fight for every point.

After losing the first extended game 23-25, Malvika did not show any disappointment and fought hard in the second game too. Again, it went to the wire and the city lass lost 19-21. It was anybody’s match but Malvika just fell short of causing the biggest upset of the tournament on opening day of the main draw.

Impressed by her fight, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) posted “What a match, what a fight. Kudos Malvika, way to go!” on social media with a couple of clapping emojis. Though Malvika lost to a top player, the match will give her much needed confidence and boost ahead of the selection trials for Asian Games to be conducted by BAI. Trials will be held at Jwala Gutta Academy of Excellence in Telangana from May 4 to 7. The Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8.