Ferzalfie Fauzi
KUALA LUMPUR: Top seed and national champion Soong Joo Ven checked into the quarter-finals of the Malaysia International Series when he beat Indonesian Henrikho Kho Wibowo in the third round yesterday.
Joo Ven started the first set brilliantly but faced resistance in the second, before winning 21-8, 21-20 at the Perak Badminton Arena in Ipoh.
“In the second set, I was a bit shaken when Wibowo led 8-1 but I made a comeback by playing cautiously,” said Joo Ven who will face Indonesian defending champion Gatjra Piliang Cupu in the last eight today.
In another match, injury to the left ankle of Leong Jun Hao handed second seed Cheam June Wei a bonus win as the match was stopped at 26-24, 18-7.
And national singles player Lim Chi Wing did not face any difficulties to advance to the quarters when he beat teammate Chong Yee Han 21-19, 21-19.
In the women's events, three Malaysians made the quarter-finals with defending champion S. Kisona beating Taiwan's Li Ting 21-11, 21-5; Ho Yen Mei beating Asty Dwi Widyaningrum from Indonesia 23-21, 21-8; and Eoon Qi Xuan stopping Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-11, 21-10.