Kian MengPei Jing cruise into second round of S’pore Open

SINGAPORE: Malaysia’s second ranked mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng/Lai Pei Jing cruised into the second round of the Singapore Open badminton tournament here yesterday.

Kian Meng-Pei Jing just needed 37 minutes to overcome their first round opponents Bodin Isara/Savitree Amitrapai from Thailand 2118, 21-16 and set up a date with Hong Kong pair Tam Chun Hei/Ng Tsz Yau who defeated Malaysia-India scratch pair K Yogendran/Prajakta Sawant 21-15, 21-12.

With world number one, Datuk Lee Chong Wei skipping the Singapore Open, Malaysia’s hopes would rest on the performances in the men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles competitions.

With the nation’s number one mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying skipping the tournament which offers total prize money of US$350,000 (RM1.54 million) due to Liu Ying’s injury, Kian Meng-Pei Jing who are also the Malaysian Masters champions will be the main hope in the category.

Besides the duo, men’s doubles world number four, Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong and Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei who are ranked 12th in the women’s doubles, will start their challenge in the tournament today.

Meanwhile, former national player Chong Wei Feng squeezed into the main draw of the men’s singles while Liew Daren crashed out in his first qualifying round match.

Wei Feng qualified after beating South Korean Jeok Hyeok Jin 21-18, 21-16 in his first match before confirming his berth by defeating Taiwan’s Hsueh Hsuan Yi 21-19, 21-15.

In his first round today, Wei Feng will meet eighth seed Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk from Thailand.

Scratch pair Tan Boon Heong/Hendra Setiawan (MAS/INA) also marched into the main draw of the men’s doubles competition where they will meet Kittinupong Kedren/ Dechapol Puavaranukroh of Thailand.

Another scratch pair, Mohamad Arif Latif/Rusydina Antardayu Riodingin (MAS/ INA) also made it to the main draw of the mixed doubles competition today where they are scheduled to face seventh seeds Praveen Jordan/Debby Susanto of Indonesia at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. – Bernama