KUALA LUMPUR: Up-and-coming shuttler Justin Hoh made a fine start in only his second Super 300 appearance on the World Tour, advancing to the second round of the Taiwan Open.
The 20-year-old impressed in his opening match, overcoming French opponent Arnaud Merkle 10-21, 21-14, 21-13 at Taipei Arena on Wednesday.
It was a notable victory for world No. 68 Justin against Merkle, a former European Junior champion ranked higher at No. 49.
Justin's previous Super 300 tournament appearance was at the Syed Modi International in India last year, where he reached the last 16.
Now, he's determined to make up for lost time and climb the rankings after a lengthy injury setback last year.
His comeback has been strong, winning two lower-tier satellite tournaments - the Slovenia Open in May and the Saipan International in Northern Marianas in July.
He also lived up to expectations by securing gold at the recent Malaysia Games (Sukma).
However, Justin realises the importance of performing well on the World Tour.
At the China Masters Super 100 last month, he exited in the second round after falling to India's Saneeth Dayanand.
World No. 70 Yohanes Marcellyno of Indonesia now stands between Justin and a quarter-final berth.
Next week, Justin is set to make his Super 500 debut at the Hong Kong Open, though he'll need to navigate through the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, professional player Cheam June Wei bowed out after losing 21-19, 21-13 to Taiwan's Chi Yu Jen.
Soong Joo Ven easily dispatched fellow Malaysian professional Tan Jia Jie 21-18, 21-11 and will face four-time winner Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan in the last 16.
In the men's doubles, promising duo Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing turned in a solid display to beat Taiwan's Chang Kai Hsiang-Wu Guan Xun 21-15, 21-17.
Former Sea Games champion S. Kisona advanced to the second round in the women's singles, defeating Myanmar's Thet Thar Thuzar 21-17, 21-17.
Kisona next faces Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani.