IT was a perfect start for all three of Malaysia’s women’s singles — Yang Li Lian, Lim Chiew Sien and Lim Yin Fun — who cleared the first round of the Vietnam Open GP yesterday.
Sixth seeded Li Lian came from a game down before defeating Taiwan’s Chen Su Yu 23-25, 21-11, 21-16, and will play Vietnam’s Vu Thi Trang in the second round today.
Chiew Sien, on the other hand, had an easier match, winning 21-18, 21-17 over Indonesia’s Rusydina Antardayu Riodingin. A tall order however awaits Chiew Sien as she takes on third seed Maria Febe Kusumastuti from Indonesia today.
Lim Yin Fun was also dragged to the deciding game by Taiwan’s Hung Shih Han, before chalking up a 21-18, 16-21, 21-16 win. Yin Fun will take on another Taiwanese and second seed Pai Yu Po next.
Li Lian, Chiew Sien and Yin Fun are all bound for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea later this month.
It was a disappointing affair however in the men’s singles third round yesterday.
Professional shuttler Mohamad Arif Abdul Latif is the only Malaysian standing as of press time, following his 22-20, 21-16 win over India’s Ajay Jayaram.
Arif will take on top seed Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka of Indonesia in the quarter-finals today.
Another professional, Tan Chung Seang, was involved in a late match against Thailand’s seventh seed Suppanyu Avihingsanon, and a win could see the Malaysian play Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama today.
Two women’s doubles Joyce Choong Wai Chi-Yap Cheng Wen and Cheah Yee See-Goh Yea Ching are also through to the second round, which will commence today.
Five men’s doubles — Nelson Heg Wei Keat-Low Juan Shen, Jagdish Singh-Roni Tan Wee Long, Darren Isaac Devadass-Ong Yew Sin, Chooi Kah Ming-Teo Ee Yi and brothers Mohd Razif and Zakry Abdul Latif — were also involved in late matches.