# V Shem-Wee Kiong stun China’s third seeds
# Jin Wei shocks Korean seventh seed Ji-hyun in three-games
The chase for title No 12 got juicier for Lee Chong Wei as he set up a quarter-final clash against top seed and world No 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
It is a much-awaited clash between the two shuttlers – more so when Chong Wei won his match against the Dane 21-9, 21-9 in last month’s Thomas Cup finals in a group match which Denmark won 3-2.
In the “clash of the veterans” against Korean Lee Hyun Il in a second-round match on Thursday, Chong Wei came off 21-7, 21-7 winner in the USD700,000 Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena.
The 35-year-old Chong Wei, however, said the Dane is “the clear favorite” but warned that he (Chong Wei) still has the fire in his bid to win the Malaysian title for the 12th time.
Last year, Chong Wei was stopped in the final by his nemesis Lin Dan in Kuching.
The main threat, however, lurks in Japan’s Kento Momota who also advanced to the quarters rather easily when second-seeded Son Won-ho of Korea retired after 24 minutes at 0-1 after the Japanese won the first 21-11.
Momota will face Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei for a place in the semi-finals. Tien Chen defeated Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long 21-12, 19-21, 21-13.
India’s L. Srikanth (4th seed) beat Tai Tzu Wei of Chinese Taipei 22-20, 21-12 to set up a quarter-final clash against Frenchman Brice Leverdez who surprised Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie10-21, 21-17, 25-23.
Third seed Shi Yuqi stopped compatriot Lin Dan in straight games 21-19, 21-12. He will meet Indonesian veteran Tommy Sugiarto who won 21-13, 21-9 against Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen.
There were smiles all round in the women’s singles when Malaysia’s former junior world champion Goh Jin Wei stunned experienced Sung Ji-hyun in the second round. Jin Wei won 15-21, 21-18, 23-21 after a marathon 78-minute battle.
For her efforts, Jin Wei will meet world number one and top seed Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei for a place in the semi-finals. Tzu Ying was too strong for Canada’s Michelle Li in her 21-11, 21-13 win.
Second and third seeds Akane Yamaguchi of Japan and P.V. Sindhu of India and fourth seed Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand) and also Carolina Marin of Spain also advanced.
In the men’s doubles, Malaysia’s Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong upset third seeds Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan of China 21-13, 21-23, 21-17. They will meet Japan’s Takeshi Sonoda next. RIZAL ABDULLAH
