Sydney: All Malaysian players were able to advance to the main draw of Australia Open on Tuesday.
Mohamad Arif Abdul Latif defeated Mitchell Wheller of Australia 21-11, 21-8 in his first qualifying match, and knocked out Andrew Smith of England 21-17, 22-20 in the second qualifying match.
“I didn’t do well last year. Therefore, my goal this year is to improve my world ranking,” said Arif, who will play world number 5, Tommy Sugiarto from Indonesia in the first round on Wednesday.
Another independent shuttler Chiang Jiann Shiarng moved to the main draw by defeated Jeff Tho of Australia 21-14 21-15 in the first qualifying match, and sent Low Pit Seng who are also from Australia packing with 21-15 21-12 win in his second qualifying match.
In men’s doubles, scratch pair Lim Khim Wah and Ow Yao Han steered to first round of the Australian Open after trashing Oon Hoe Keat-Pham Tran Hoang of Australia 21-14, 21-7 in 19 minutes. The pair will play Philip Joper Escueta-Ronel Estanislao from the Philippines tomorrow. Professional men’s doubles of Chan Kwong Beng-Chiang Jiann Shiarng also cruised to the first round.
The match to look out for on Wednesday is Daren Liew vs Takuma Ueda. Daren Liew will be out with a revenge mission against Ueda in the first round of Australian Open after he was beaten in three sets by Ueda in the final of the Thomas Cup final last month.
