KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian badminton squad has displayed a promising performance at the Korea Masters, with six representatives advancing to the quarter-finals scheduled for tomorrow.
The mixed doubles category boasts the highest representation through Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
Fourth-seeded pair Tang Jie-Ee Wei were up against compatriots Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, who they dispatched in straight sets, 21-8, 21-9, in under half an hour.
Their next challenge awaits against Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang-chieh and Lin Xiao-min.
In another straight-sets Malaysian win, Soon Huat-Shevon took only 27 minutes to overpower South Korea’s An Yun-seong and Lee Yeon-woo, 21-11, 21-13.
They are now geared up to face the South Korean duo, Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun, in a quarter-final clash.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing also exhibited resilience, emerging victorious against Chinese Taipei’s Wu Hsuan-yi and Yang Chu-yun in a thrilling encounter that spanned nearly an hour, concluding with a 22-20, 18-21, 21-18 win.
Their next challenge is against China’s second seeds Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin.
Meanwhile, the sole representative in the men’s doubles, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, will need to up their game in the quarter-finals tomorrow as they are facing the top-seeded South Koreans Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin secured their spot in the last eight after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang-chieh and Yang Ming-tse, 21-14, 21-18.
In the men’s singles, Soong Joo Ven and Leong Jun Hao are still standing at the Super 300 event following Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong’s withdrawal from the tournament.
Last year’s semi-finalist Joo Ven put up a brave front to dispatch defending champion Jeon Hyeok-jin of South Korea, 7-21, 21-14, 21-17.
But he is not out of the woods yet as his next challenge comes in the form of Japan’s two-time world champion, Kento Momota.
Jun Hao’s journey advanced as his opponent, Finland’s Kalle Koljonen, retired in the round of 16 after a score of 21-16, 3-0.
The Malaysian is now set to face China’s Lei Lanxi in the last eight. – November 9, 2023