HOT DAREN UPSETS JONATAN
Malaysian overcomes 13th seed Indonesian to advance to second round in Nanjing
LIEW Daren got his World Championships campaign off to a flying start when he upset 13th seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia to reach the men’s singles second round in Nanjing yesterday.
The 31-year-old professional shuttler, who is Malaysia’s sole representative in the event following Lee Chong Wei’s withdrawal, was on fire in his 21-12, 21-16 win over Jonatan in 34 minutes.
It was also sweet revenge for the 2012 French Open champion who was sent packing by the Indonesian in the Malaysia Open in June.
Daren will play Israel’s Misha Zilberman, who edged Sri Lanka’s Niluka Karunaratne 12-21, 21-17, 21-10, for a place in the third round.
In the men’s doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik came out with guns blazing by notching a comfortable 21-15, 21-18 win over South Korea’s Chung Eui Seok-Kim Dukyong.
The World No 35 Malaysians face 12th seeds Lee Jhe Huei-Lee Yang of Taiwan today.
“Today’s match against the top 30 pair was not easy. Our focus was on playing to tactics and this work to our advantage,” said Aaron yesterday.
“Tomorrow, we face Jhe Huei-Lee Yang, who we beat in last month’s Thailand Open. However, we cannot take them lightly. I think it will be different this time.”
Teammates Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi also did well to clear the first hurdle when they saw off India’s M.R. ArjunRamchandran Shlok 21-14, 21-15.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi will now take on compatriots Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong in the second round.
In the mixed doubles, Chan Peng