KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Open champions Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem went down 18-21, 21-15, 16-21 to Ko Sung-hyun-Shin Baek-cheol of South Korea. This was a bitter blow to the pair because they were once ahead with 14-10 and 15-12 in the third set.
Their coach Rosman Razak said: “Khim Wah and V Shem played much better this game, they had their chances to seal the deal, and they were once in control by leading 15-12 in the rubber game. Then, they started making mistakes. The South Koreans took advantage of Kim-Wah-V Shem's mistakes and never look back”
On the other hand, world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei showed the Malaysian Open Grand Prix runner-up Sourabh Varma of India a classy lesson by winning 21-9, 21-6 in just 23 minutes.
Yet, another Indian player, P. Kashyap, is waiting for Lee Chong Wei in Friday’s quarter-finals.
All Denmark shuttlers – Jan O Jorgensen, Viktor Axelsen and Hans-Kristian Vittinghus – made it to the last eight. This indicates Denmark is going to be a strong contender in the Thomas Cup Finals at the same venue in May.
Nevertheless, Malaysia’s challenge is still alive in the women’s doubles with
Vivian Hoo- Woon Khe Wei and Chan Peng Soon-Lai Pei Jing stormed into the women’s doubles and mixed doubles quarter-finals.
Vivian doesn't seem to be affected by her ankle injury when she and her partner Khe Wei were able to beat Thailand’s Duanganong Aroonkesorn-V. Kunchala 14-21, 21-18, 21-14 in 50 minutes hard fought game. It was their third win over the Thais.
Vivian-Khe Wei will play South Koreans Jung Kyung-eun-Kim Ha-na on Friday for a semi-finals spot in the Superseries tournament.
“I am glad we played without any pressure. I am thrilled! I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago, but I am happy with my recovery progress, and hope we can continue to do better in the tournament,” said Vivian.
“Our next game against Jung Kyung-eun-Kim Ha-na of South Koreans will not be easy. It will be our first time playing them, we will try to have fun” she added.
In the mixed doubles category, Chan Peng Soon-Lai Pei Jing from Malaysia continued their brilliant run by defeating Shin Baek-cheol-Eom Hye-won of South Korea 21-15, 21-10.
