Hong Kong Open: Zii Jia, Tze Yong outclass big names in straight games

Ng needed 46 minutes to overcome Chou Tien-chen 21-15, 21-19 for his second straight win against the Chinese Taipei star and a meeting against Japan’s Kanta Tsuneyama.

Lee was also in his element to beat Zhao Jun Peng 21-17, 21-16, using his power to great effect and more importantly not committing many unforced errors against the Chinese.

A dream second-round tie for Lee against Viktor Axelsen did not materialise after Lee Chia-hao beat the Dane in straight games.

RESULTS: #HongKongOpen2023R32#MAS?? Lee Zii Jia def. #CHN?? Zhao Jun Peng 21-17 21-16? @badmintonphoto#DemiMalaysia #BadmintonMalaysia pic.twitter.com/HI6Mq7SX7Y

— BAM (@BA_Malaysia) September 13, 2023

Leong Jun Hao, who made it through two qualifying matches on Tuesday, continued his fine form in the main draw after he overcame Malaysia Masters runner-up Lin Chun-Yi 22-20, 21-15.

The 24-year-old faces a tough task against second seed Anthony Ginting on Thursday.

Mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, who did well to reach the China Open semi-finals last week, also made into round two courtesy of a straight-game success over their Japanese opponents.

Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai joined them in the second round for a strong mixed doubles representation for Malaysia.

In the men’s doubles, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin received a walkover over Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who pulled out after their China Open excursions, and take on Chinese Taipei pair Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan next.

In the women’s doubles, Anna Cheong-Teoh Mei Xing battled to win in three games for a showdown against team-mates Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah.

Women's singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei, meanwhile, recovered from a game down before she overcame Denmark’s Line Kjaersfeldt 25-23, 13-21, 14-21, booking a meeting with Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon next.

It was the end of the road for S. Kisona, Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See, Chia Weijie-Liew Xun, Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh and Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow.