KUALA LUMPUR: Men's singles player Justin Hoh's journey at the Taiwan Open was ended by home favourite Chou Tien Chen in the quarter-finals today.
It was always going to be difficult for the Malaysian shuttler against world No. 9 Tien Chen, especially playing in front of his home crowd at the Taipei Arena.
World No. 68 Justin was in search of his fourth title this year - after winning the Slovenia Open, Saipan International and Malaysia Games gold.
However, he could not handle the wily world No. 9 Taiwanese veteran.
Tien Chen overcame Justin 21-12, 21-14 in 43 minutes.
This is 34-year-old Tien Chen's second title this year after winning the Thailand Masters in February, when he revealed that he had been battling colon cancer for the past year.
Nonetheless, Justin, 20, can hold his head high after making a breakthrough quarter-final appearance here as the Taiwan Open is only his second Super 300-level tournament.
His last appearance at the same level was at the Syed Modi International in India last year where he was shown the exit in the second round.
Justin's exit also marked the end of Malaysia's challenge at the Taiwan Open.