Odense: World No. 1 Malaysian badminton superstar Lee Chong Wei exacted revenge for his second round loss to Wei Nan in the 2015 Denmark Open with a 16-21, 21-19, 21-11 win over the Hong Kong player in 60 minutes in the first round of 2016 Denmark Open on Wednesday.
Lee had to work extra hard after he was trailed 11-17 in the second set, before digging himself out of a deep hole to force a decider. The Malaysian was totally dominant in the third set to demolish Wei completely, and to set up a second round meeting with H. S. Prannoy of India next.
Other than Lee Chong Wei, it was a dismal day for Malaysian men’s singles players as they all fizzled out in their first hurdle.
Chong Wei Feng was sent packing by H. S. Prannoy of India with 13-21, 21-19, 20-22 in 63 minutes; while Iskandar Zulkarnain was beaten by Rajiv Ouseph of England 8-21, 21-17, 17-21 in 52 minutes. Meanwhile, former World junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli also lost to Brice Leverdez of France 22-20, 12-21, 14-21 in 69 minutes.
In men’s doubles, Rio Olympic silver medalists and No. 4 seeds Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong of Malaysia put up a sizzling performance to break the strong scratch pair from China – Zhang Nan/Liu Cheng 21-18, 18-21, 21-18 to advance into second round. The Malaysians are set to play Marcus Ellis/Chris Langridge of England next. However, former world No. 1 men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong were no match against Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo of Indonesia by losing the first round match 11-21, 18-21.
Malaysia’s Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing conjured a great escape in the first set when they fought back from 15-19 to win the game 23-21 against Oliver Leydon Davis and Gronya Somerville. The Malaysians then eased past the New Zealand and Australia mixed doubles pair to clinch the second set 21-9. Tan/Lai will meet Li Junhui/Bao Yixin of China on Thursday who barely broke a sweat after another Malaysian mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying withdrew in the second set with the scores standing at 21-17, 4-5.
Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei also cruised into women’s doubles second round after beating Kim Hye Rin/Yoo Hae Won of South Korea, 6-21, 21-19 and 21-16. Hoo/Woon will take on sisters Gabriela Stoeva/Stefani Stoeva of Bulgaria who outlasted Della Destiara Haris/Rosyita Eka Putri Sari of Indonesia, 21-13, 12-21, 21-19 in 51 minutes.
