Rashid urges Letshanaa to build on Okuhara win
KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton legend Datuk Rashid Sidek believes K. Letshanaa has the potential to go far in women's singles if she continues to beat top-ranked players consistently.
World No. 50 Letshanaa pulled off a major upset by beating former world champion Nozomi Okuhara in the first round of the US Open in Iowa on Wednesday.
The Malaysian stunned the world No. 42 Japanese shuttler 21-8, 21-19 to book her spot in the second round.
Okuhara was the 2017 world champion, former world No. 1, and a bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"It's a good win for Letshanaa. I hope she gains confidence from this and continues to develop her game," said Rashid, a member of Malaysia's 1992 Thomas Cup-winning team, after a recording session of Timesport: On the Beat at Balai Berita on Wednesday.
"She's not getting any younger, so she must start proving herself on the World Tour.
"It's not every day that a shuttler beats a former or current world champion and Olympic medallist.
"My advice to Letshanaa is simple — keep fighting and winning on tour to reach the next level.
"She's been part of the national team for a few years now, and it's not enough to just compete. She needs to show real progress and start winning titles.
"She can't keep saying she's young — the commitment and consistency must be there. This win is a good platform, and she must build on it."
Letshanaa will next face world No. 49 Aakarshi Kashyap of India in the second round on Thursday.
The full podcast episode featuring Rashid Sidek will be available next week on YouTube, Spotify, Audioplus, and Apple Podcasts.
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