Bangkok: After a 22-20, 21-9 third-round victory over No. 2 seed Marc Zwiebler of Germany in Bangkok on Thursday, Malaysia’s Soong Joo Ven picked up another surprise win on Friday by outlasting Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong, 21-19 and 21-11 in the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold quarter-final.
However, a tough test is awaiting him in the last four as Soong will battle Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in the semi-final. The Indonesian edged past No. 5 seed Brice Leverdez of France 21-15 and 21-19 in another quarter-final match.
Malaysia’s No. 5 seeds Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Jemie Lai also advanced to the mixed doubles semi-final after dispatching Han Chengkai/Chen Lu of China 21-17, 21-16 in 30 minutes.
Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Jemie Lai will clash with No. 1 pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand in the semi-finals.
In women’s singles, India’s No. 2 seed Saina Nehwal beat Haruko Suzuki of Japan 21-15, 20-22 and 21-11 to cruise into the semi-finals. Nehwal will meet home favorite the No. 4 seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand on Saturday.
