Jin Wei impresses as she has nothing to lose

Jin Wei is a woman on a mission, and that is to record as many upsets as possible in the World Championships in Nanjing.

Yesterday, the 18-year-old proved why she is still an important asset to Malaysia when she stunned 14th seed Aya Ohori of Japan 21-18, 22-20 in the second round of the world meet.

Jin Wei faces defending champion Nozomi Okuhara, also from Japan, in the third round today.

Okuhara barely broke sweat in her second round tie by chalking up an easy 21-11, 21-9 win over Canada’s Rachel Honderich.

National women’s singles coach Tey Seu Bock is pleased with Jin Wei’s performance so far, and wants her to continue playing without pressure.

“From the start, I just wanted her to play her game. That is why, we did not set a target for her. I want her to play without pressure because she has got nothing to lose.

“So far, she has been impressive here. Her main mission now is to just upset higher ranked opponents,” said Seu Bock in Nanjing.

In the women’s doubles, 13th seeds Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean had to dig deep before clearing the second round in the 16-21, 21-17, 22-20 win over Germany’s Isabel Herttrich-Carla Nelte. The Malaysians take on fifth seeds Greysia Polli-Apriyani Rahayu of Indonesia today.

It was, however, the end of the road for Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei who lost 21-12, 19-21, 21-12 to Olympic champions Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi of Japan.

In the men’s doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik continued their impressive form by upstaging World No 11 Lee Jhe Huei-Lee Yang of Taiwan 16-21, 21-18, 21-19 to set-up a third round clash against eighth seeds Kim AstrupAnders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark.

Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong lived up to their billing but at the expense of fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, whom they beat 21-16, 21-15 to reach the third round.

The 13th seeds face China’s fourth seeds Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen for a quarter-final spot today.