Ouseph loses to qualifier in Malaysia

Feltham’s Rajiv Ouseph failed to make the most of an unusual passage into the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Open by losing to qualifier Christie Jonatan on Friday.

Ouseph’s third-round opponent, world number two Kento Momota, had to withdraw from the tournament having admitting to gambling at a casino, which is outlawed in Japan.

Momota has since been stripped of the chance to represent Japan in the Rio Olympics and flew home from Malaysia to assist with an investigation, giving Ouseph a free pass into the last eight.

But he ended up losing to 18-year-old Jonatan, who at 37 in the world is ranked 16 places below the west Londoner.

Ouseph led 9-3 in the opening game but Jonatan ate away at the lead and ended up pinching it 21-19.

The second game was nip and tuck, with Ouseph holding the upper hand for most of it until Jonatan again moved away at the crucial moment and closed out a 21-19 21-19 victory.