KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s ace men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong pulled of a sensational upset by beating China’s Zhao Jun Peng in straight sets to book a slot in the second round of the 2023 World Badminton Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark yesterday.
In the match played at the Royal Arena, Tze Yong, ranked 22nd in the world took just 47 minutes to overcome last edition’s bronze medal winner, 21-19, 26-24 in straight sets.
The 23-year-old Tze Yong is expected to face the tournament’s 12th seed Anders Antonsen from Denmark in the second round, based on the draw by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
Today five Malaysians pairs will see action in the first round, namely Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (men’s doubles); Anna Cheong Ching Yik-Teoh Mei Xing and Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien (women’s doubles) and two mixed doubles pairs Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.
In another first round encounter, national professional Lee Zii Jia pulled off a pleasant surprise by sweeping aside Indonesian star Jonatan Christie in straight sets.
Zii Jia, the world number 13 is currently embroiled in a spat with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) over an issue of attire during training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia, took just 39 minutes to overcome his formidable opponent, ranked world number five, in straight sets 21-13, 21-15 at the Royal Arena.
The Malaysian is not expected to face a serious challenge in the second round since he is scheduled to face Canada’s Brian Yang (ranked 27th).
Of late, Zii Jia has been going through a rocky path in competitions, losing in the first round of at least four major competitions.
Another professional player from the country, Goh Jin Wei took just 30 minutes to overcome Hungary’s Vivien Sandorhazi 21-18, 21-15 in straight sets and move into the second round.
The 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games gold medal winner, however, is expected to face an uphill task in the second round after being drawn against world number one, An Se Young from South Korea in the second round today.
Meanwhile, there was disappointment for another Malaysian player in the women’s singles because S. Kisona lost to Taiwan’s Pai Yu Po 22-20, 19-21, 13-21. – BERNAMA
