NAGPUR: Malvika Bansod played one of the finest matches in her career so far, but Japanese world no. 1 Akane Yamaguchi escaped to post a victory over the city girl in the Badminton Asia Championships in Dubai on Wednesday.
In the opening round of 32 shuttlers from across the continent, Malvika went down fighting against the top seeded and reigning two-time world champion Yamaguchi 23-25, 19-21 in an exciting and tight 46-minute clash.