Controversial national shuttler Lee Zii Jia cleared his first hurdle with a 21-18, 21-12 win over Japan Kenta Nishimoto in his opening match in the men’s singles in the USD150,000 New Zealand Open at the Event Finda Stadium in Auckland on Labour Day.
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However, the Malaysian has another Japanese obstacle for a place in the quarter-finals when he faces Kazumasa Sakai in the second round.
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Joining Zii Jia in the second round is professional Chong Wei Feng who overcame a one-game deficit to oust Indonesia’s Ihsan Maulana Mustofa 17-21, 21-13, 21-16 in 57 minutes.
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However, Soong Joo Ven who made the main draw after coming through the qualifying rounds was shown the door with a heartbreaking 19-21, 18-21 defeat to Korean veteran Lee Hyung Il.
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There was good news in the men’s doubles with Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik-and Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong advancing to the second round together with Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi.
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V Shem-Wee Kiong, the seventh seeds, advanced with a 21-15, 21-16 win over German pair Mark Lamsfuss-Marvin Seidel Aaron-Wooi Yik defeated Australians Simon Leung Wing Hang-Mitchell Wheller 21-16, 21-11.Ā Yew Sin-Ee Yi upset Liao Min Chun-Su Ching-Heng of Chinese Taipei 21-16, 21-13.
In the women’s doubles, Vivian Hoo-Yap Cheng Wen made a winning start defeated Indonesia’s Yulfira Barkah-Jauza Fadhila Sugiarto 21-15, 21-17. However, Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean fell to Japan’s No 3 seeds Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara 16-21, 15-21 in 35 minutes.
Women’s singles hope Soniia Cheah also crashed out in the first round – losing 21-23, 15-21 to China-born Zhang Beiwen, the third seed, from the United States. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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