Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s World No. 30 men’s singles player Daren Liew has advanced to the Malaysian Masters main draw after recording two victories at the Axiata Arena on Tuesday despite suffering a back injury.
The 2012 French Open champion won the first qualification match by defeating Subhankar Dey of India 21-15, 21-15 before defeating Chinese player Zhao Jun Peng 21-15, 21-15 to secure his place in the first round.
However, Liew faces a tough challenge on Wednesday when he will play Indonesia’s No. 6 seed Jonathan Christie next.
Another Malaysian men’s singles player, Soong Joo Ven, nevertheless, failed to make it to the main draw when he won the first qualifying match against Vincent Wong Wing Ki of Hong Kong 21-8, 17-21, 21-15, before losing the second qualifying match 16-21, 21-16, 11-21 to the hands of Japanese Koki Watanabe.
Meanwhile, in women’s doubles, Anna Cheong/Lim Chiew Sien also made the first round after defeating compatriots Cheah Yee See/Lim Pei Yee 21-11, 21-18 in the qualifying round.
Two other Malaysian pairs, Teoh Mei Xing/Yap Ling and Pearly Tan/M Thinaah, got free tickets to the main draw after their opponents pulled out from the tournament.
Lim Chiew Sien also excelled in the mixed doubles qualification match with Low Hang Yee with a 21-17, 21-16 victory over Thai pair Supak Jomkoh/Supissara Paewsampran.
