Joo Ven and Jun Hao crash out of second round in Vietnam Open

PETALING JAYA: Thomas Cup hopefuls Soong Joo Ven and Leong Jun Hao did themselves no favours at all after crashing out in the second round of the Vietnam International Challenge in Hanoi.

Fifth seed Joo Ven was a letdown as he went down 1821, 1821 to Indonesia’s Wisnu Yuli Prasetyo at the Tay Ho District Stadium yesterday.

The world No. 60 is almost certainly out of the running for one of the two remaining spots in the Thomas Cup squad.

But 18yearold Jun Hao, who is widely tipped to make the team in favour of Joo Ven, also failed to stake his claim.

The 15th seeded Jun Hao, who reached the final of the Thailand Masters in January, came up short in a 1921, 2113, 2022 defeat to Indonesia’s Krishna Adi Nugruha.

The pair join two other national shuttlers Cheam June Wei and twotime national champion Lim Chi Wing, who were beaten in the first round, at the sidelines.

The men’s singles challenge now falls on the shoulders of Tan Jia Wei, Chong Yee Han and independent shuttler Goh Giap Chin.

In men’s doubles, sixth seeds Aaron ChiaSoh Wooi Yik are the sole Malaysian pair left.

The world No. 116 whipped Taiwan’s Lee FangchihLee Fangjen 2116, 218 in the first round to set up a second round meeting with another Taiwanese pair Lu ChiahungShih Kueichun.

In women’s doubles, the Commonwealth Gamesbound Vivian HooChow Mei Kuan warmed up nicely with an easy 219, 219 win over Taiwan’s Lee WeitzuTai Weiling in the first round.

VivianMei Kuan who are taking part in their first competition together, meet homesters Nguyen Thi Phuong HaNguyen Thuy Linh next.