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Thursday September 17, 2009

Disappointing show by singles shuttlers in China Masters

PETALING JAYA: Except for world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia’s other singles shuttlers were decimated in the opening day’s action of the China Masters in Changzhou yesterday.

Yesterday, top seed Chong Wei had to ward off a late charge by China youngster Lu Qicheng before prevailing 21-8, 21-16 in 31 minutes.

Chong Wei faces England’s Rajiv Ouseph next and should have no problems making it to the quarter-finals.

Chong Wei is the sole Malaysian left in the singles challenge after the exits of independent shuttler Wong Choong Hann and woman shuttler Wong Mew Choo.

Choong Hann failed to exact revenge over China’s world junior champion Chen Long after losing 9-21, 17-21 in the first round.

The Malaysian had also lost to Chen Long in the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Finals in Johor Baru this year.

It was also the end of the road for 2007 China Open champion Mew Choo when she went down to China’s Jiang Yanjiao 17-21, 11-21 in 35 minutes.

Malaysia’s challenge in the men’s doubles was reduced to only two pairs after the shock exit of Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng yesterday.

The former national players went down 19-21, 15-21 to China’s Li Tian-Shen Ye.

Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen, who received first-round byes yesterday, will face China pairs next.

Tan Fook-Wan Wah will take on Chai Biao-Zhang Nan while Teik Chai-Bin Shen will meet Huang Haitao-Lei Weiliang.

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