KUALA LUMPUR – Mixed doubles shuttlers showcased their dominance in the national camp by starting strongly at the Hong Kong Open today.
Cheng Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, ranked ninth in the world, overcame tough resistance from India’s B. Sumeeth Reddy and Ashwini Ponnappa, winning their match 21-16, 16-21, 21-18.
Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing also advanced to the second round, taking 37 minutes to defeat Japan’s 19th-ranked pair, Kyohei Yamashita-Naru Shinoya, in two straight games, 21-17, 21-15.
Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai continued the winning momentum in the mixed doubles category by prevailing against Japan’s Yuki Kaneko-Misaki Matsutomo, winning 21-9, 21-14.
This marked the world number 12 pair’s first victory against the Japanese in three meetings.
In the women’s singles category, Goh Jin Wei maintained her pristine record against Denmark’s 34th-ranked Line Kjaersfeldt, winning 23-25, 21-13, 21-14 in an exhilarating match that lasted 57 minutes.
Meanwhile, independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia concluded Malaysia’s victorious run in the first round by defeating China’s Zhao Jun Peng 21-17, 21-16 in the men’s singles category.
The world number 16 is scheduled to face Chinese Taipei’s Chia Hao-lee in the second round tomorrow.
However, luck was not on the side of Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing as they fell to Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati 12-21, 13-21 in the mixed doubles category.
Roy King Yap-Valeree Siow had a similar fate to their compatriots as they fell to England’s Gregory Mairs and Jenny Moore. – September 13, 2023