Ng Tze Yong ensured Malaysia's representation at the Thailand Masters continued as the national men’s singles shuttler posted a convincing 21-16, 21-8 victory over South Korea’s Heo Kwang-Hee to check into the last eight on Thursday.
It was Ng’s best result so far this year, after only going as far as the second round in his previous three tournaments.
But against the shuttler who famously dumped out Kento Momota at the Tokyo Olympics, Ng looked a formidable player in the 38-minute victory.
The world number 29 led throughout the contest and was clever in exploiting the space left by Heo, who scrambled to keep up with the Malaysian’s dominance.
If not for several unforced errors in the first game, the eighth seed would have sealed the match with a much comfortable margin.
Ng has a much tougher opponent next in Angus Ng Ka Long in the quarter-finals, who ousted Cheam June Wei in three games for the showdown.
Angus had also eliminated Lee Zii Jia at last week’s Indonesia Masters.
Apart from Ng’s victory, there was little to shout about from the national contingent.
Second seeds Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai were sent packing after 15-21, 10-21 defeat to Japan’s Hiroki Midori-Natsu Saito in the mixed doubles, while Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See also lost in straight games.
