Smooth sailing for Malaysian shuttlers

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Lee Chong Wei cruised into the second round of the Yonex Japan Open held at Yoyogi National Stadium, Tokyo yesterday.

The world number two easily defeated Anand Pawar of India 21-13, 21-9 after a 30-minute match and set up a date with Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the second round today.

The London Olympic silver medallist is expected to have a comfortable path to the top due to the absence of Chinese players in the tournament, including his arch-rival Lin Dan and last year’s champion Chen Long.

China has withdrawn all its shuttlers from the tournament amid worsening ties between Bejing and Tokyo over a territorial row involving an island.

Meanwhile, another national men’s singles player Chong Wei Feng sprang a pleasant surprise by upsetting local favourite Kenichi Tago 8-21, 21-16, 21-17 to march on to the next round.

Wei Feng is scheduled to meet Ajay Jayaram of India in the second round today.

Other Malaysians who advanced to the second round included Liew Daren in the men’s singles as well as Tee Ji Ying and Lydia Cheah in the women’s singles.

Liew beat Sai Praneeth of India 17-21, 21-15, 22-20 while Tee and Cheah beat their respective opponents Pai Hsiao Ma of Taiwan 16-21, 21-14, 21-12 and Hashimoto Yui of Japan 21-19, 21-19.

In the doubles competition, sisters Ng Hui Lin/Ng Hui Ern outclassed Eva Lee/Paula Lynn Obanana of the United States 22-20, 21-18 while Hoon Thien How/Tan Wee Kiong beat Indian pair Pranav Jerry Chopra/Akshay Dewalkar 21-16, 21-13 in the men’s doubles.

Earlier Tan and Ng (Hui Lin) also made it to the next round in the mixed doubles after defeating Shohei Hoshino/Kugo Asumi of Japan 24-22, 21-12.

The country’s troubled top pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong who received a bye in the first round, will open their campaign against Patiphat Chalardchaleam/Nipitphon Puangpuapech of Thailand today. — Bernama