Perak: Defending champion Daren Liew took the Perak Open men’s singles match all the way to its limit only to fall short after being beaten in the quarter-final by Soong Joo Ven on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old fourth seed went down 22-20, 13-21, 9-21 to Soong Joo Ven, who is ranked No. 112 in the world.
Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin also pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament on Tuesday, trailing 17-20 in the first set, Iskandar refused to succumb and fought back to force deuce before taking the set with 24-22. Arif appeared demoralized and put up only token resistance as his second game fell apart in a 21-14 rout at the hands of his younger compatriot.
Iskandar will take on Goh Soon Huat in the semi-finals, while Soong Joo Ven will meet second seed Tan Chun Seang on Wednesday.
Lee Chong Wei and Vivian Hoo continued their smooth progress at the Perak Open with a straightforward 21-10, 21-13 victory over Lim Tiat Long/Ng Sin Zou to set up a clash with top seeds Tan Aik Quan/Lai Pei Jing in the semi-finals.
The men’s doubles quarter-finals saw Mohd Arif Abdul Latif/Nur Mohd Azriyn Bin Ayub fought from one set down to trounce third seeds Ow Yao Han/Chooi Kah Ming 21-15, 13-21, 21-12 to advance to semi-finals. They will face Chow Pak Chuu/Tan Bin Shen who defeated Chua Khek Wei/Woon Man Chun 21-11, 21-14 in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Darren Isaac A/L Devadas and Vountus Indra Mawan received and unexpected easy ride when they only needed 21 minutes to ease past fourth seeds Lim Ming Chuen and Ong Wei Khoon 21-11,21-14. Devadas and Mawan will square off against second seeds Tan Wee Gieen/Teo Ee Yi to earn final berth.
16 year-old women’s singles sensation Goh Jin Wei came out on top of Lim Chiew Sien, winning 21-9, 21-8, and will meet second seed Yang Li Lian in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Women’s No. 1 seed Tee Jing Yi will play Lim Yin Fun to secure a spot in the finals.
