Gwangju: Reigning world junior champion, Goh Jin Wei has reached the Korea Masters quarter-finals on Thursday but Malaysia’s Rio Olympic silver medalists Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong were sent packing by World No. 101 Huang Kaixiang/Wang Zekang of China.
The No. 7 seed Goh Jin Wei continued her fine form to beat Zhang Yiman of China 21-16, 21-15 in the second round of the women’s singles at Gwangju Women’s University Stadium. Goh will meet Chiang Ying Li of Taiwan in the last eight. Goh may face the London Olympic Champion Li Xuerui if she could make the semi-finals.
Malaysia’s men’s singles player Soong Joo Ven seemed to have revived his career a little bit as he surprised fifth seed from Thailand, Khosit Phetpradab to advance to the Korean Masters quarters. Soong will meet another Thai player Sitthikom Thammasin in the final eight.
The 20-year-old Lee Zii Jia also put up a dazzling performance with a comfortable 21-18, 21-15 win over Yang Chih Chieh of Taiwan in 36 minutes. Lee will face Shesar Hiren Rhustavito of Indonesia on Friday.
In the men’s doubles, World No. 15 Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong would have to do some serious soul-searching at end of this year as they suffered another dismal defeat by losing to World No. 101 Huang Kaixiang/Wang Zekang of China 17-21, 16-21 in just 32 minutes.
Nevertheless, Malaysia’s No. 6 seeds Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik were able to overcome Jung Jae Wook/Kim Hwi Tae 21-17, 21-19 to play local pair Choi Solgyu/Seo Seung Jae for a spot in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Tan Boon Heong/Kim Sa Rang fought their way to the quarters as they outlasted Mohamad Arif Ab Latif Arif/Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azriyn of Malaysia 21-19, 22-24, 21-17 on Thursday.
The Malaysia/Korea men’s pair will take on No. 5 seeds Berry Angriawan/Hardianto Hardianto of Indonesia next.
