Zulfadli and Wei Feng reach last eight in contrasting fashion

PETALING JAYA: Independent shuttlers Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Chong Wei Feng scored contrasting wins to reach the men’s singles quarter-finals at the Macau Open.

Zulfadli battled for 69 minutes before overcoming two-time national champion Lim Chi Wing 21-11, 14-21, 21-15 while Wei Feng continued his fine form by defeating Koki Watanabe of Japan 21-17, 21-15 in the second round at the Tap Seac Multisport Arena yesterday.

In the quarter-finals, world No. 49 Zulfadli will take on Shih Kuei-chun of Taiwan while Wei Feng will meet Denmark Open runner-up Lee Hyun-il of South Korea.

The Macau Open is Zulfadli’s first tournament in two months and he was thrilled to reach his second quarter-final of the season, having also made the last eight in the Syed Modi International in January.

“It’s great to make it to the last eight after some time,” said Zulfadli, who lost in the first round of the Vietnam Open in September.

“I had good control in the first game but lost focus in the second due to a few poor calls by the linesman. I also made some mistakes.

“I regained form to lead 15-7 in the decider and then I lost focus briefly again before winning it. I have to be more consistent.”

“I have a few more tournaments to go. Hopefully, I will achieve good results in the final part of the season.”

Zulfadli will also take part in the China Open in Fuzhou ( Nov 14-19) and Korea Masters in Gwangju City (Nov 28-Dec 3).

There were mixed fortunes for Malaysia in women’s doubles when only Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean marched into the quarter-finals.

The pair scored a stunning 21-19, 21-14 win over third seeds and world No. 18 Hsu Ya-ching-Wu Ti-jung of Taiwan.

World No. 23 Mei Kuan-Meng Yean will face Della Destiara Haris-Tiara Rosalia Nuraidah of Indonesia next.

It was all over for Lim Yin Loo-Peck Yen Wei, who lost 12-21, 15-21 to South Koreans Seo Seung-jae-Kim Ha-na in the second round.