Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin maintained their perfect record since being reunited as they overcame a tough opening match at the Korea Open, while Lee Zii Jia suffered a third defeat this year against Angus Ng Ka Long.
Goh-Izzuddin, fresh from winning the US Open men’s doubles silverware, battled jetlag from the United States to recover from a game down and oust Chinese pair Ren Xiang Yu-Tan Qiang 10-21, 21-16, 21-16.
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“It was a close match, and we are happy to have come away as winners. Of course winning in America has boosted our confidence here,” said the pair, who take on fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi on Thursday.
The latter came through after beating South Korea’s qualifiers Song Hyun-cho-na Gwang-min 22-20, 21-14.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik also booked a second-round spot after posting a straight game success over another home qualifier.
K. Letshaana, meanwhile, continued her good form by checking into the next round as she edged a tough three-game encounter against her Chinese Taipei qualifier.
S. isona joined her after battling through a resilient match against Lauren Lam, but both these shuttlers have tough opponents to reckon with on Thursday.
Kisona is up against top seeded Akane Yamaguchi, while Letshaana takes on Tai Tzu-ying.
Defending champions Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing cleared their first round hurdle in the mixed doubles, but have to contend against second seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai next.
Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai joined them and have a date against Japanese opponents Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito.
Ng Tze Yong also cruised to the next round where he takes on Angus, who handed Lee another defeat that saw the Malaysian lose 15-21, 21-18, 17-21.
It was going well for Lee until 12-12 in the deciding game, which saw him capitulate with a string of unforced errors against the Hong Kong star, who had also beaten him at the Indonesia Masters and Asia Championships this year.
“I tried my best,” was his response after the 56-minute loss.
Joining him out the exit door was Goh Jin Wei, Cheam June Wei, Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See, Leong Jun Hao, Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
Annyeong haseyo, #KoreaOpen2023! ?
— Stadium Astro ?? (@stadiumastro) July 19, 2023
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