Lee Qian Chiong and Lim Boon Le kept Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge alive by advancing to the last 16 of the Under-19 competition at the World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt.
However, fifth seed Kong Wei Xiang suffered a shock exit in the last 32, losing 9-15, 11-15 to India’s Nishal Chand in a 27-minute encounter at the Cairo International Stadium.
Lee advanced with a 15-13, 15-11 win over Denmark’s Federik Hinding. The 18-year-old now faces India’s Jagsher Singh Kanggurra for a place in the quarter-finals.
Seventeenth seed Lim also progressed after edging India’s Akhil Reddy Bobba 15-13, 18-16 in a closely fought encounter. He faces a stern test against second seed Riyan Malhan of the UAE in the last 16.
In the Under-19 women’s singles, 10th seed Carine Tee was Malaysia’s sole survivor and faces top seed Saki Matsumoto in the last 16. Tee booked her place with a hard-fought 15-11, 10-15, 15-11 victory over Indonesia’s Mayla Cahya Affilian Pratiwi in 49 minutes.
Her compatriots, however, bowed out, with Lee Kay Xin losing 8-15, 8-15 to Indonesia’s Raisya Affatunisa, while Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad went down 10-15, 7-15 to Hong Kong’s fifth seed Ip Sum Yau. Teo Sue Mei also exited after losing 12-15, 15-13, 7-15 to India’s Tanvi Reddy Andluri.
In the mixed doubles, top seeds Ahmad Redzuan/Low Zi Yu led Malaysia’s charge into the last 16 with a commanding 15-7, 15-6 win over American pair Xu Zicheng/Jasmine Yeung in just 14 minutes.
The Malaysians, who had earlier beaten their Brazilian opponents 15-7, 15-3, now face Korea’s Jeong Seon Been/Kim Min Chae for a place in the quarter-finals.
Irfan Shazmir/Genevie Lim also advanced after recording two wins. They first overcame Indonesia’s Moses Andar Simanjuntak/Yulianti Reya Azzahra 15-11, 9-15, 15-11 in the last 64 before defeating Hong Kong’s 13th seeds Cheng Ying Kit/Au-Yeung Wing Chi 15-11, 15-9 in 18 minutes.
The Malaysian pair will next meet Japan’s Mahiro Matsumoto/Aoi Banno.
However, 11th seeds Khairul Azlan Khashah/Nur Aina Maisarah fell short against China’s Feng Yi Lang/Li Meng Han, losing 15-12, 10-15, 12-15. Yusuf M Iqbal/Leong Hwee Ling also exited after a 6-15, 4-15 defeat to China’s Ty Yi Chen/Shi Si Chen.
In the men’s doubles, second seeds Isyraf Hafizin/Ahmad Redzuan lived up to their billing with a hard-fought 15-8, 9-15, 15-13 victory over Hong Kong China’s Cheung Sai Shing/Deng Chi Fai. They face Filipino pair Stephen Jame Pantuan/Roaquine Ramos for a place in the quarter-finals.
Seventh seeds Damien Ling/Irfan Shazmir also progressed, defeating Denmark’s Mikel Eilersen Bouet/Frederik Hinding 15-8, 15-11.
Meanwhile, second seeds Genevie Lim/Low Zi Yu stayed on course in the Under-19 women’s doubles, cruising past Estonia’s Kaisa Liis Lepp/Romili Vakk 15-4, 15-5 to reach the last 16. They will take on India’s Aanya Bisht/Angel Punera.
Thirteenth seeds Rachel Tan/Xin Ying The also advanced beyond the last 32 with a 15-9, 15-8 win over Switzerland’s Victoria Dubendorfer/Sanna Germann. They now face Indonesia’s higher-ranked pair Atresia Naufa Candani/Adelia Nirul for a place in the quarter-finals.
Ahmad Redzuan/Low live up to billing
