SONIIA SAILS INTO TAIWAN OPEN QUARTER-FINALS
Malaysian shuttler powers past Dane Dawall to reach the quarter-finals
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s women’s singles shuttler Soniia Cheah (pic) capped a fine outing to sail into the quarterfinals of the Taiwan Open.
Yesterday, the 25yearold made it look easy as she outclassed Denmark’s Julie Dawall Jakobsen 2110, 2110.
In the first round she thrashed Mugdha Agrey of India 2111, 2114
The world No. 35 is now looking for a strong performance after failing to get past the first round in the Japan Open and China Open earlier this month.
To make it into the semifinals of the Taiwan Open, she will have to overcome world No. 30 Pai Yupo who will have the support of the home crowd.
The Taiwanese fourth seed’s mental strength has been her strong point as she came back from a game down twice to win her first and second round matches.
She earned her quarterfinal spot by defeating Indonesians Dinar Dyah Ayustine 1321, 2114, 219 and Ruselli Hartawan 1721, 2119, 2117.
Malaysia’s mixed doubles pair of Chen Tang JiePeck Yen Wei continued their good run by ousting Hong Kong’s Chung YonnyWu Yi Ting.
The third seeds scored a slim 2220, 2117 victory to set up a quarterfinal clash against sixth seeds Rinov RivaldyPitha Haningtyas Mentari of Indonesia.
Men’s doubles pair Aaron ChiaSoh Wooi Yik also powered through as they packed off home favourites Chang KochiLu Chia Pin 2114, 2116.
Next up for AaronWooi Yik are the top seeds Chen HunglingWang Chilin.
The Taiwanese pair came back from a game down to defeat Malaysia’s Goh Sze FeiNur Izzuddin 1821, 2118, 2112 to reach the last eight.
Meanwhile, Arif Abdul LatifNur Azriyn Ayub went down at 2116, 1621, 2119 to Japan’s Keiichiro MatsuiYoshinori Takeuchi.
In the men’s singles, Chong Wei Feng came out victorious after an energy sapping 78minute match against Taiwan’s Lin Yuhsien.
Wei Feng looked like he was heading out after losing 1021 in the first game but he stormed back to win the nerveracking second and third games at 2624, 2321.