Verrell/Lisa Stopped at Malaysia Masters Round of 16 By Seventh Seeds

Verrell Yustin Mulia and Lisa Ayu Kusumawati saw their campaign at the Malaysia Masters 2025 come to an end in the Round of 16, after being defeated by seventh-seeded Chinese pair Cheng Xing and Zhang Chi at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday, May 22.

The Indonesian pair, who were making strides as a newly formed senior-junior combination, started the match with momentum, quickly racing ahead to leads of 5–2 and 7–3. However, the experienced Chinese team regrouped, adjusted their strategy, and gradually took control of the match with their precision and defensive stability.

Momentum shift proves costly

Despite Verrell/Lisa’s early dominance, the match began to shift when Cheng/Zhang readjusted their tempo and started targeting weaknesses in the Indonesians’ mid-court coordination. The Chinese pair’s consistency and sharp placements forced a string of errors from the Indonesians, allowing Cheng/Zhang to equalize and eventually dominate the rallies.

In the second game, the pressure mounted on Verrell/Lisa, who struggled to regain the flow that had given them the edge early on. Miscommunication on shot selection and positioning was exploited by the seventh seeds, who closed out the match convincingly in straight sets.

Cheng/Zhang avenge Asian Championships defeat

This result serves as redemption for Cheng Xing/Zhang Chi, who were surprisingly defeated by another Indonesian pair — Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu — at the 2025 Asian Badminton Championships. Their performance at Malaysia Masters showcased notable improvements in teamwork and resilience.

For Verrell Yustin Mulia, a young rising talent, and Lisa Ayu Kusumawati, one of Indonesia’s most experienced mixed doubles specialists, the loss is a learning curve as they continue to build chemistry and gain international experience.

What’s next for Verrell/Lisa?

The Indonesian coaching staff will likely review this performance closely as they continue to assess potential long-term mixed doubles combinations ahead of the 2025 BWF World Tour events and SEA Games. Verrell/Lisa’s promising early-round win indicates potential, but consistency and tactical cohesion will be key areas for development.