Vladivostok: Spearheaded by Commonwealth Games men’s doubles champions Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong, Wednesday turned out to be a good day for Malaysia which saw its star shuttlers all advanced into the next round at the USD$50,000 Russian Open Grand Prix that gets underway at the Sports Hall, Vladivostok on Wednesday.
A rejuvenated Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong provided the early spark to Malaysia’s campaign against Rodion Kargaev/Anatoliy Yartsev of Russia by clinching a high quality men’s doubles first round match with 21-14, 21-15 victory.
Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, Mak Hee Chun/Teo Kok Siang advanced to the second round without breaking a sweat, after they were awarded walkovers when their opponents didn’t turn up as expected at the tournament.
Mak Hee Chun/Teo Kok Siang are set to face off with compatriots Hoon Thien How/Lim Khim Wah to cement their quarter-final spot at the Russian Open. Hoon/Lim prevailed over Evgenij Dremin/Denis Grachev of Russsia 21-19, 21-17 in a 35 minutes match on Wednesday.
Former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli downed Grigoriy Martynenko of Russia in a rather easy match, winning 21-7, 21-3 in just 19 minutes.
In a battle between Chong Wei Feng and the defending champion Vladimir Ivanov of Russia, Chong subdued the challenge of Russia’s seasoned men’s singles player, winning 21-15, 21-9 in 28 minutes.
Top seed Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia reached the second round without lifting his racquet, as he received a walkover following Rhys Walker’s withdrawal.
Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu who were given a walkover in the first round, will face Russians Anatoliy Yartsev/Evgeniya Kosetskaya in the mixed doubles second round on Thursday.
