Singapore: World No. 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei got off to a perfect start in the Singapore Open as he beat the China-born Wei Nan of Hong Kong, 21-17, 21-15 in 40 minutes.
With world No. 2 Chen Long opting to skip the meet and several top players withdrew from the tournament, Lee Chong Wei has a very high chance of bagging Singapore Open as his fourth title of the year. The last time Chong Wei played in Singapore Open was six years ago, and he won the men’s singles title that year. He will play China’s Chen Yuekun in the second round.
The 23-year-old Chen Yuekun easily brushed aside Malaysia’s independent shuttler Tan Chun Seang 21-13, 21-11 in 26 minutes.
Another Malaysian shuttler, former national champion Misbun Ramdan Misbun who now trains under his father Misbun Sidek, lost to 32-year-old world No. 14 Hu Yun of Hong Kong 21-19, 16-21, 8-21.
Tee Jing Yi, Yang Li Lian and Lydia Cheah were all sent packing by their opponents in women’s singles.
In the mixed doubles department, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying delivered a strong performance by defeating South Koreans Shin Baek-cheol-Eom Hye-won in straight sets, 21-17, 21-19 and will go on to meet China’s Liu Cheng-Bao Yixin for a place in the quarter-finals.
“It feels good to be back on court, and to be able to win a game ” said Liu Ying, who spent two months undergoing rehabilitation on her knees. “I’ve rested for two months, I actually feel fresh on the court today and I’ll keep on playing the same way I did in the first round against my next opponent.”
In addition, Ong Jian Guo-Lee Meng Yean, the newly formed pair proved to be too strong for compatriots Mohd Adib Haiqal-Sannatasah Saniru, winning 21-11, 21-10.
