PETALING JAYA: Better late than never.
Yeoh Seng Zoe (pic) pulled off his biggest career win in the Taiwan Open before announcing that he will be hanging up his racquet after the tournament.
The independent men’s singles shuttler, who is ranked No. 139 in the world, stunned Japan’s world No. 14 Kanta Tsuneyama 21-19, 21-15 in the second round at the Tian Mu Arena in Taipei yesterday.
The 25-year-old Seng Zoe, who had been struggling with an ankle injury this year, has reached his first ever quarter-finals in a World Tour competition.
“I’m very happy to get this win as my opponent has been a top 20 player for quite a long time,” said Seng Zoe.
“I just wanted to enjoy the game and appreciate every point as this is my last tournament in my badminton career.
“I injured my left ankle in February and couldn’t play in many tournaments this year.
“Even now, I’ve not fully recovered and find it tough to continue playing and I think it’s time for me to make a change.”
Seng Zoe is set to take up a position as the junior coach of the Irish national team.
“I was a sparring partner and assistant coach in Ireland last year,” said Seng Zoe.
“I will be joining as a coach in the junior team as soon as I get my work permit.”
For now, Seng Zoe is out to continue making waves in Taiwan.
He will play Taiwan’s Su Li-yang in the last eight today.
On the match, Seng Zoe said: “I just want to keep enjoying the game and do the best for myself.”
Seng Zoe is the only Malaysian left standing in the men’s singles after both Leong Jun Hao and Cheam June Wei crashed out.
World No. 57 Jun Hao went down fighting 18-21, 21-14, 16-21 to Indonesia’s world No. 23 Chico Aura.
Jun Hao had toppled Chico in the team event at the SEA Games in Phnom Penh last month but could not repeat his success.
Meanwhile, independent player June Wei found Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long too hot to handle and fell 14-21, 13-21.
June Wei had also lost to Angus in both the Indonesian and Thailand Masters in January.
