KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — National men’s singles player Ng Tze Yong has successfully moved to the second round after creating an upset over former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore, in the first round of the Japan Open 2023 in Tokyo, earlier today.
The unseeded Ng took 41 minutes to send the seventh-seeded Loh packing, 21 – 16, 21 – 17, during the tournament held at the Yoyogi First Gymnasium.
Ng will next meet Koki Watanabe of Japan, who came from behind to slay former world champion and compatriot Kento Momota, 13 – 21, 21 – 16, 21 – 13.
This was Ng’s second victory over Loh following his rubber set win, 15 – 21, 21 – 14, 21 – 11, in the 2022 Commonwealth Games quarter-final.
Meanwhile, professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia endured his fourth straight opening-round exit, this time at the hands of defending champion from Japan Kenta Nishimoto, 22 – 20, 17 – 21, 19 – 21.
Nishimoto will take on third seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn after the Thai player prevailed against Taiwan’s Wang Tzu Wei, 21 – 5, 21 – 16.
Another independent shuttler, Cheam June Wei, was totally outplayed by Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, 7 – 21, 9 – 21, in just 28 minutes.
Meanwhile, national men’s doubles duo Goh Sze Fei – Nur Izzuddin Rumsani earned the second-round spot as they got the better of the home duo Ayato Endo – Yuta Takei, 21 – 18, 21 – 15.
Eighth seeds Liu Yu Chen – Ou Xuan Yi await Goh – Nur Izzuddin next after the Chinese duo edged home pair Keiichiro Matsui – Yoshinori Takeuchi, 21 – 18, 25 – 23.
Meanwhile, reigning men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia – Soh Wooi Yik also advanced to the second round after Arjun MR – Dhruv Kapila of India withdrew in just 11 minutes of play due to Arjun’s injuries.
The Malaysians were leading 15 – 5.
The world number four Chia – Soh are set to face Indonesians Muhammad Shohibul Fikri – Bagas Maulana, who ousted another Malaysian duo Man Wei Chong – Tee Kai Wun 21 – 11, 15 – 21, 22 – 20, in the battle for quarter-finals slot tomorrow.
— Bernama
