Malaysia’s campaign at the 2025 Canada Open came to a close on Friday as both Eogene Ewe and Wong Ling Ching were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the BWF Super 300 tournament held in Markham, Ontario. Despite the exits, both young shuttlers showcased promising performances that highlighted their potential on the international stage.
Eogene Ewe Falls to Home Favorite Victor Lai in Men’s Singles
In the men’s singles quarter-final match, Eogene Ewe, ranked No. 98 in the world, suffered a 21-6, 11-21, 21-9 defeat to Canada’s No. 72, Victor Lai. The match, which lasted just under an hour, was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, with Eogene bouncing back in the second game but ultimately unable to sustain consistency in the decider.
Although the defeat ends his run, this marks a milestone achievement for the 20-year-old Malaysian, who reached his first-ever quarter-final appearance in a Super 300 tournament—a significant step forward in his budding career.
Interestingly, Eogene’s path to the quarter-finals began with an unexpected advantage. In the opening round, he received a walkover victory after Japan’s Takuma Obayashi, the world No. 40, withdrew due to injury. That result propelled him into the second round without stepping on court.
Facing Victor Lai, a player from the same age group and development bracket, was seen as a golden opportunity for Eogene to gain valuable BWF world ranking points and build confidence on the big stage. While he ultimately fell short, the experience will serve him well as he prepares for upcoming international events.
Wong Ling Ching Pushes Vietnam’s Top Seed to the Limit
On thе women’s ѕіdе, Wong Ling Chіng dеlіvеrеd оnе of the mоѕt соmреllіng matches оf thе tоurnаmеnt. The 20-уеаr-оld Mаlауѕіаn fоught tооth аnd nаіl аgаіnѕt Vіеtnаm’ѕ No. 1 fеmаlе shuttler, Nguyen Thuу Lіnh, bеfоrе ѕuссumbіng 17-21, 22-20, 21-15 in a gruеlіng thrее-gаmе bаttlе that lasted 66 mіnutеѕ.
Ling Ching, who is still making her way up the ranks, showcased immense resilience and talent, especially after her stunning upset earlier in the tournament against fourth seed Line Christophersen of Denmark. That victory alone was a major highlight of her campaign and a reminder of her potential to compete at the highest levels.
Her loss to Thuy Linh should be seen in context. The Vietnamese ace, ranked No. 22 in the world, has had an exceptional season. Thuy Linh is a three-time Vietnam Open champion and has reached the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Masters and Indonesia Masters earlier this year. In addition, she was the runner-up at the 2025 German Open, cementing her status as one of the most consistent players on the circuit.
For Ling Ching, this was her second career quarter-final appearance at a Super 300 event, a testament to her growth and steady progress in international badminton.
Bright Future Ahead for Malaysia’s Rising Stars
While nеіthеr Eogene Ewе nоr Wоng Lіng Ching were able tо рrоgrеѕѕ beyond the ԛuаrtеr-fіnаl ѕtаgе, thеіr реrfоrmаnсеѕ аt thе Cаnаdа Oреn 2025 were nоthіng short оf еnсоurаgіng. Both athletes demonstrated strong mental fortitude, technical improvement, and the hunger to compete among the world’s best.
Their journeys in Markham have undoubtedly earned them recognition and experience, as well as crucial world ranking points that will help them in upcoming international competitions. Malaysia’s badminton development pipeline looks promising with talents like Eogene and Ling Ching making waves at the Super 300 level.
As the badminton season continues, fans will be eager to see how both players capitalize on this momentum and continue to rise through the ranks. The road ahead may be challenging, but if this tournament is any indication, Malaysia’s next generation of shuttlers is ready for the spotlight.
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