Kuala Lumpur: Lee Chong Wei once again became Malaysia’s sole men’s singles representative at a prestigious international badminton competition when the 10-time Malaysia Open winner dominated the second round Malaysia Open match to knock out Son Wan Ho of Korea 21-18, 21-12 on Thursday.
“Son Wan Ho came into the tournament with good momentum after beating Lin Dan at the India Open last week, therefore, I have made a lot of preparations prior to the match,” said Lee Chong Wei.
The 33-year-old Malaysian shuttler will next meet former world junior champion Viktor Axelsen from Denmark on Friday. Lee will enter Friday’s match with a 7-0 record against the Dane.
Unfortunately, the 2015 Malaysia champion Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin bowed out on Thursday after losing to No. 5 seed Jan O Jorgensen 7-21, 16-21. The 28-year-old Jorgensen of Denmark will involve in a quarter-final showdown against Lin Dan. Lin Dan overcame Boonsak Ponsana to reach the quarter-finals.
Despite the many complaints about the drift in the stadium, Chen Long had no problems defeating his second round opponent Vincent Wong Wing Ki of Hong Kong, 21-17, 21-12 and will take on compatriot Tian Houwei on Friday.
In mixed doubles competition, Malaysian pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying shocked China’s No. 5 seeds Xu Chen/Ma Jin to clinch a spot in the quarter-finals.
Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying will next play Thailand’s Puavaranukroh Dechapol/Sapsiree Taerattanachai who also pulled off another huge upset by beating World No. 3 Chinese pair, Liu Cheng/Bao Yixin 22-20, 18-21, 21-17.
