Big blow for Joo Ven as he crashes out of Indian Open qualifying round

PETALING JAYA: Soong Joo Ven has his work cut out for him.

The world No. 64 was a big talking point after he was selected ahead of in-form youngster Leong Jun Hao and veteran Liew Daren for the Asia Team Championships in Alor Setar from Feb 6-11.

But Joo Ven has not justified his selection so far after he failed to qualify for the main draw of the Indian Open in New Delhi yesterday.

The 22-year-old was just woeful as he lost 21-16, 15-21, 14-21 to world No. 162 Siddharth Pratap Singh of India in the first qualifying round.

Joo Ven’s latest defeat was just another disappointing showing from the former Asian Junior runner-up.

He was also a big letdown at the Malaysian Masters, losing tamely 8-21, 12-21 to France’s Brice Leverdez.

World No. 85 Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin fared batter.

Iskandar, who also made the Asia Team squad, played with a point to prove by earning a spot in the main draw.

He first defeated Chirag Sen of India 21-17, 21-18 before getting past Siddharth 18-21, 21-7, 22-20.

The 26-year-old goes on to meet Denmark’s Emil Holst in the tournament proper.

Daren, a semi-finalist at the recent Thailand Masters and Malaysian Masters, also cleared the qualifiers.

The 30-year-old first downed homester Mithun Manjunath 21-16, 21-8 before edging another Indian Rahul Yadav Chittaboina 14-21, 21-11, 21-19.

The world No. 46 is up against Israel’s Misha Zilberman in the tournament proper.

RESULTS Malaysians only

Qualifying first round

Men’s singles: Siddharth Pratap Singh (Ind) bt Soong Joo Ven 16-21, 21-15, 21-14; Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin bt Chirag Sen (Ind) 21-17, 21-18; Liew Daren bt Mithun Manjunath (Ind) 21-16, 21-8.

Qualifying second round

Men’s singles: Liew Daren bt Siddharth Pratap Singh (Ind) 18-21, 21-7, 2220; Liew Daren bt Rahul Yadav Chittaboina (Ind) 14-21, 21-11, 21-19.