Lee Cheuk-yiu sends his former flatmate packing
Lee Cheuk-yiu provided the big shock yesterday at the Malaysia Open by beating former roommate and the reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew.
But the Hong Kong No 2 will face an even sterner test when he takes on world No 1 Viktor Axelsen in a second-round encounter tomorrow.
The 25-year-old Lee and Singapore’s Loh shared a flat during a training camp in Dubai last month, but went toe to toe at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
Lee fell behind 10-5 in the first set, but fought back to win six points in a row and take the lead, before edging it 21-19 over world No 9 Loh.
The world No 15 led throughout the second set and took it comfortably 21-12, with the match lasting less than 40 minutes.
“Our new men’s coach Wong Tat Meng played an important role, whether it was with his analysis before the game or his courtside advice – it helps the player deliver their best and take the momentum,” Hong Kong head coach Tim He Yiming said.
“With Tat Meng’s advice, Lee played aggressively on the front court, which caused his opponent to lose momentum. It also shows that the player has faith in him.”
Coach Wong, who led South Korea to their first Uber Cup title in 12 years last month, has signed with Hong Kong on a two-year contract.
Denmark’s Axelsen yesterday defeated Frenchman Brice Leverdez 22-20, 21-7. Lee, who spent time at Axelsen’s training camp in Doha – alongside Loh and India No 1 Lakshya Sen – will be up against it but has a blueprint for defeating the Tokyo Olympic champion. “Lee is the underdog in the second round, but he beat Viktor in the Hong Kong Open in 2019, so anything is possible,” coach He said.
Hong Kong mixed doubles pair Tse Ying-suet and Tang Chun-man had a battling 21-18, 21-18 victory over Malaysians Choong Hon Jian and Peck Yen Wei.
“Suet returned to training last week, and based on her performance, I believe she has recovered well,” coach He said of the 30-year-old Tse, who tested positive for Covid-19 this month.
Also in the mixed doubles, Hong Kong’s Chang Tak-ching and Ng Wing-yung were beaten 23-21, 8-21, 21-18 by Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto and Lisa Ayu Kusumawati of Indonesia.