Korea Open: V Shem-Juan Shen get 2022 season off to winning mark

Goh V Shem-Low Juan Shen’s straight-game victory over fellow Malaysians Lim Kim Wah-Nur Azriyn proved to be the national contingent’s sole victory in the opening round of the Korea Open on Wednesday.

The pair’s 21-17, 21-19 victory in 39 minutes set them against South Koreans Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae for a place in the last eight.

This victory marked Goh-Low’s first since the pair joined forces in October at the Denmark Open without any success, having lost all five of their opening round matches.

In fact, Goh’s best result at the end of last year was with former partner Tan Wee Kiong when they reunited at the BWF World Championships to reach the quarter-finals.

RESULTS: #KoreaOpen2022R32#MAS?? Goh V Shem-Low Juan Shen def. #MAS?? Azryin Ayub-Lim Khim Wah 21-17 21-19? @badmintonphoto #DemiMalaysia #BadmintonMalaysia pic.twitter.com/3IGKUPATLv
— BAM (@BA_Malaysia) April 6, 2022

Several other Malaysians contest the second round on Thursday after clearing their opening hurdles, most notably Goh Jin Wei’s hard-earned 21-19, 16-21, 21-17 victory over Asuka Takahashi.

The two-time world junior champion is back in action after 10 months out of the game, where she last featured at the Spanish International last June.

In September, Goh retired from the sport citing health reasons and was later slapped with a two-year ban by the national body when she decided to make a return.

The ban was eventually overturned, paving the way for Goh to return, and to winning ways after a long layoff.

She faces South Korean Lee Se Yeon on Thursday.

RESULTS: #KoreaOpen2022R32#MAS?? Goh Jin Wei def. #JPN?? Asuka Takahashi 21-19 16-21 21-17? @badmintonphoto #DemiMalaysia #BadmintonMalaysia pic.twitter.com/U4yE8leodb
— BAM (@BA_Malaysia) April 5, 2022

Ng Tze Yong and Cheam June Wei also came through and play Kim Dong-hun and Weng Hong Yang respectively.

In the men’s doubles, Wee Kiong-Tan Kian Meng face Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto, while Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi play another Indonesian pair Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin.

Ong is also on a big mixed doubles duty with Goh Liu Ying as they face top seeds Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu-jung.

Kian Meng-Pei Jing are up against Na Sung Seung-Kim Min Ji, while Swiss Open runners-up Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai play Japanese pair Ko Sung-hyun-Eom Hye-won.

In the women’s doubles, Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien are up against Benyapa-Nuntakarn Aimsaard.