May Rachanov Opens Strong at Malaysia Masters, Advances to Second Round
Thai badminton star May Rachanov advanced to the second round of the Malaysia Masters with a straight-sets victory over Indonesia's Niccakak Pratiwi in Kuala Lumpur.
May Rachanov did not disappoint as she advanced past the first round of the 2026 Malaysia Masters badminton championship following her convincing victory over her Indonesian opponent. The 2026 Malaysia Masters badminton tournament is a World Tour Super 500 event offering total prize money of $500,000 (approximately 16.25 million baht) held at Unifi Arena Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On May 20, in the opening round of the women's singles competition, world No. 7 May Rachanov faced off against Indonesia's world No. 79 Niccakak Pratiwi. Rachanov decisively won the match in straight sets with scores of 21-16 and 21-16, advancing to the second round where she will face Bulgaria's world No. 46 Kalyana Nalbantova.
