KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) — In the absence of men’s singles world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei, all eyes would now be on Malaysian men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong after Hafiz Hashim and Pei Wee Chung were knocked out of the China Masters in Guangzhou, Wednesday.
Former Olympic champion and seventh-seeded Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia showed Hafiz Hashim the exit in a three-set thriller that went the distance 17-21, 21-13, 22-20, while Japan’s Sho Sasaki crushed youngster Pei Wee Chung 21-18, 21-7 in straight sets.
Chong Wei’s withdrawal due to minor injuries on his right hand, suffered during the Japan Open last week where he lost in the final to Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro, saw China’s Li Yu receive a walkover.
In the women’s singles, despite receiving a bye in the first round, world number eight Wong Mew Choo conceded a walkover to Wang Lin of China in the second round.
Hence, third seeded Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, who had a first round bye, face a tricky second round match against Sun Junjie/Xu Chen of China Thursday.
Following them into the second round were Khoo Chung Chiat/Tan Bin Shen who beat China’s He Hanbin/Shen Ye 21-19, 24-22 and face another Malaysian pair, Chan Chong Ming/Chew Choon Eng, who earned a bye in the first round.
In another all-Malaysian affair, fourth-seeded Mohd Razif Abdul Latif/Tan Wee Kiong swept aside Goh Wei Shem/Ong Jien Guo 21-14, 21-18 and meet Yonatan Suryatama Dasuki/Rian Sukmawan of Indonesia in the second round.
Malaysians would also see action in the women’s doubles as Japan Open runner-up Chin Eei Hui/Wong Pei Tty, who were given a first round bye face the winner of the match between seventh-seeded Chinese pair Pan Pan/Tian Qing and Zhang Dan/Zhang Zhibo of Macau.
FIRST ROUND RESULTS (Only Malaysian matches):
Men’s Singles: Taufik Hidayat (INA) bt Hafiz Hashim (MAS) 17-21, 21-13, 22-20; Sho Sasaki (JPN) bt Pei Wee Chung (MAS) 21-18, 21-7.
Men’s Doubles: Khoo Chung Chiat/Tan Bin Shen (MAS) bt He Hanbin/Shen Ye (CHN) 21-19, 24-22; Mohd Razif Abdul Latiff/Tan Wee Kiong bt Goh Wei Shem/Ong Jien Guo (MAS) 21-14, 21-18; Gan Teik Chai/Lin Woon Fui(MAS) bt Chan Lo Chong/Lam Chi Man (MAC)21-5, 21-11.
Women’s Singles: Wang Lin (CHN) bt Wong Mew Choo (MAS) walkover.
