v.shem.wee.kiong.5
# Malaysian ace beats Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in three sets 
# Will take on Japanese veteran Sho Sasaki in for a place in the semi-finals
#V Shem-Wee Kiong blown away in men’s doubles
Datuk Lee Chong Wei signalled his return to the top 20 in the world rankings by reaching the men’s singles quarter-finals in the USD275,000 Yonex French Open Superseries in Paris on Thursday.
 
In the process Chong Wei earned himself a perfect birthday present – a day after his 33rd birthday.
In the latest world rankings Chong Wei has sneaked to No 19 despite some poor results in the superseries events.
 
However, the Malaysian, reached his first quarter-finals in the superseries although it came the hard way. He came back from a set down to beat Denmark’s former world junior champion Viktor Axelsen 12-21, 21-17, 21-14 in a 64 minute battle.
 
In the semi-finals Chong Wei will face Japanese veteran Sho Sasaki who stunned compatriot and fourth seed Kento Momota also in a three-set tie – coming back from a set down to prevail 15-21, 21-19, 21-19 in 68 minutes.
 
The win over Axelsen is certainly a big boost for Chong Wei who lost in the second round in the Yonex Japan Open, in the first round in the qualifying round in the Viktor Korea Open and last week was bundled out in the second round in the Denmark Open.
 
While Chong Wei celebrated, Malaysia’s top doubles pair Goh V Shem-Tan Weei Kiong were blown away in their second round match against the South Korean pair of Kim Gi-jung-Kim Sa-rang who won in straight sets 21-11, 21-18.
 
The defeat came a day after the Malaysians upset sixth seeds Chai Biao-Hong Wei of China 21-16, 16-21, 21-12 in the first round.
 
Top seeds and hot favourites Lee Yong-dae-Lee So-hee of Korea were also shown the exit in the second round – losing to China’s Liu Yuchen-Tang Jinhua. The Chinese won 17-21, 21-8, 21-18.
Malaysia’s independent pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong played fifth seeds Hiroyuki Endo-Kenichi Hayakawa of Japan in a late match.
Also involved in a late match is Malaysia’s top woman shuttler Tee Jing Yi who faces Indonesia’s Maria Febe Kusumastuti in a second round match.
SELECTED SECOND ROUND RESULTS 
MEN
SINGLES
Datuk Lee Chong Wei (Mas) Viktor Axelsen (Den) 12-21, 21-17, 21-14
Sho Sasaki (Jpn) beat Kento Momota (Jpn) 15-21, 21-19, 21-19
DOUBLES
Kim Gi-jung-Kim Sa Rang (Kor) beat Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (Mas) 21-11, 21-18
 
Liu Yuchen-Tang Jinhua (Chn) beat Lee Yong-dae-Lee So-hee (Kor) 17-21, 21-8, 21-18
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