Field day for Malaysian doubles pairs at Singapore Open
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun got Malaysia's campaign at the Singapore Open off to a strong start, defeating China's Huang Di-Liu Yang in straight games. (EPA Images pic)
PETALING JAYA : Malaysian badminton doubles pairs had an outstanding run in the Singapore Open today, with five pairs in action so far advancing to the quarter-finals of the BWF World Tour Super 750 event.
Men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, fresh from their Malaysia Masters win last week, continued their strong form by defeating China's Huang Di-Liu Yang 21-16, 21-16 in 33 minutes. It was the first international meeting between the two pairs.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun, ranked world No 7, are eyeing their first back-to-back title and will face world No 3 pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the quarter-finals in a rematch of Sunday's Malaysia Masters final.
Aaron-Wooi Yik had a tougher path, edging past Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi 21-18, 24-26, 21-12 in 63 minutes. Despite having five match points in the second game, the Malaysians were forced into a decider before sealing victory. Takuro-Yugo have won nine of their previous 12 meetings.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani eased past fellow Malaysians Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King 21-13, 21-11 to book their place in the last eight.
In women's doubles, Pearly Tan-M Thinaah battled hard to beat Japan's Mayu Matsumoto-Yuki Fukushima 25-23, 21-18. The win over the world No 12 pair took 46 minutes.
Mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai also advanced to the last eight after beating China's Feng Yan Zhe-Wei Ya Xin 21-11, 21-19 in 34 minutes.
Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles) and Leong Jun Hao (men's singles) are scheduled to play their second-round matches later this evening.
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