Jian Guo and Khim Wah steal show with win over Thais

PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Ong Jian Guo has always kept a low profile, unlike his more popular girlfriend Goh Liu Ying.

But yesterday, Jian Guo basked in glory with partner Lim Khim Wah after stunning third seeds Bodin Isara-Nipitphon Phuangphuapet of Thailand 21-15, 17-21, 21-14 to reach the men’s doubles semi-finals of the Thailand Open in Bangkok.

The Klang City Badminton Club (KCBC) boys will face second seeds Berry AngriawanRian Agung Saputro of Indonesia today for a place in the final.

The 27-year-old Jian Guo is happy that everything is falling into place for him since quitting the national team in December 2014 because of a nagging shoulder injury.

“I’m happy to be back as an independent player after my shoulder operation.

“I’m still not at my best but I’m surely getting better with every tournament,” said Jian Guo.

It was the end of the road for another independent pair – Hoon Thien How-Teo Kok Siang – when they crashed out 16-21, 17-21 to Berry-Rian in the quarter-finals.

Youngster Goh Jin Wei continued her impressive form by checking into the women’s semi-finals with a convincing 21-17, 21-13 win over compatriot Ho Yen Mei.

Jin Wei faces a daunting task against third seed and world No. 16 Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand in the last four.

Malaysia’s second-ranked mixed doubles pair of Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing also reached the semi-finals with a 21-15, 19-21, 21-11 win over Taiwan’s Liao Min-chun-Chen Hsiao-huan.

They will face Puavaranukroh DechapolSapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand next.