Badminton

Sole survivor Justin aims to keep Malaysia flag flying

KUALA LUMPUR: Being the country's last man standing in the men's singles at the Malaysian Super 100 does not put shuttler Justin Hoh under great pressure.

In fact, the 20-year-old sees it as motivation.

World No. 50 Justin secured a 21-19, 17-21, 21-12 win over 82nd-ranked Shesar Hiren Rhustavito of Indonesia in 67 minutes to reach the quarter-finals at the Juara Stadium today.

The 30-year-old Shesar, whose highest ranking was No. 17 in 2020, has slowed down considerably, but he managed to give Justin a tough time before exiting in the second round.

Justin was bent on making amends after losing to Indonesia's 2023 world junior champion Alwi Farhan in the second round of the Macau Open two weeks ago.

"I'm the only Malaysian left in the men's singles, but it doesn't give me pressure but motivation to carry on the challenge in the quarter-finals.

"My opponent used to be a top shuttler and he played well today. I was patient but at the same time, focused on speed and an attacking game."

Justin will meet top seed and world No. 33 Chi Yu Jen of Taiwan, who outplayed independent Tan Jia Jie 21-13, 21-13, in the quarter-finals.

"I beat Yu Jen in the Kaohsiung Masters in Taipei but he is higher ranked and a strong player," said Justin.

Meanwhile 2021 World Championships silver medallist K. Srikanth of India was stunned 21-16, 21-15 by Taiwan's Ting Yen Chen in the second round.

It was also the end of the road for newly crowned world junior champions Aaron Tai-Khang Khai Xing who were beaten 21-16, 21-19 by Wu Hsuan Yi-Ye Hong Wei of Taiwan.

"The Taiwanese pair were faster and had more power in their attack," said Khai Xing.

Independent pair Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub kept the Malaysian challenge going by entering the last eight.

Wee Kiong-Azriyn defeated Taiwan's Chen Sheng Fa-Huang Tsung 21-15, 21-18 and will meet Aaron-Khai Xing's conquerors Hsuan Yi-Hong Wei next.

RESULTS
Second Round
Malaysians unless stated
Men's singles: Justin Hoh bt Shesar Hiren Rhustavito (Ina) 21-19, 17-21, 21-12; Chi Yu Jen (Tpe) bt Tan Jia Jie 21-13, 21-13; Huang Yu Kai (Tpe) bt Cheam June Wei 14-21, 21-16, 21-18; Riku Hatano (Jpn) bt Samuel Lee 18-21, 21-5, 21-11.
Men's doubles: Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub bt Chen Sheng Fa-Huang Tsung I (Tpe) 21-15, 21-18; Wu Hsuan Yi-Ye Hong Wei (Tpe) bt Aaron Tai-Khang Khai Xing 21-16, 21-19; Chen Zhi Ray-Lin Yu Cheh (Tpe) bt Gh V Shem-Boon Xin Yuan 21-15, 21-14; Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith (US) bt Lau Yi Sheng-Lee Yi Bo 22-24, 21-19, 21-15; Low Hang Yi-Ng Eng Cheong vs Faiq Haziq Masawi-Lok Hong Quan 21-19, 16-21, 21-14.
Women's singles: K. Letshanaa bt Peng Yu Wei (Tpe) 21-9, 21-17; Ong Xin Yee bt Lalinrat Chaiwan (Tha) 16-21, 22-20, 23-21.
Women's doubles: Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee bt Cheng Su Hui-Lee Xin Jie 21-14, 21-23, 21-16; Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting bt Leung Yuet Yee-Ng Wing Yung (HK) 21-16, 7-21, 21-18; Yap Rui Chen-Ng Qi Zuan bt Tidapron Kleebyeesun-Nattamon Laisuan (Tha) 13-21, 21-14, 21-17; Tan Zhing Hui-Amanda Yap bt Felicia Fong-Flora Fong Nicole Gonzales Chan-Yang Chu Yun (Tpe) bt Lee Yu Shun-Joanne Ng 223-21, 21-17; 1-12, 21-13; Lee Shi Qing-Tio Se Xin bt Liau Bei Yi-Desiree Siow 25-23, 21-16; Lui Lok Lok-Tsang Hiu Yan (HK) bt Chan Wen Tse-Chong Jie Yu 21-18, 21-19; Tsai Ruo Lin-Wang Yi Zhen (Tpe) bt Ho Lo Yi-Tan Zhing Yi 21-19, 13-21, 21-17.
Mixed doubles: Wee Yee Hern-Vannee Gobi bt V. Poopathi-Lai Ting Cen 21-9, 21-13; Wu Hsuan Yi-Yang Chu Yun (Tpe) bt Lo Bing Kun-Ho Lo Yi 21-18, 21-18; Presley Smith-Jennie Gai bt Owen Ting-Ng Qi Xuan 21-17, 18-21, 23-21.

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