Pebulu tangkis tunggal putra Malaysia Daren Liew mengembalikan kok ke arah lawan pebulu tangkis Korea Selatan Heo Kwanghee, pada babak pertama nomor perorangan Asian Games 2018 di Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Jumat (24/8). ANTARA FOTO/INASGOC/Puspa Perwitasari/tom/18.
It would have been a cruel blow for Malaysia if Shevon Lai Jemie had retired injured but it turned out to be nothing serious after a quick medical check and a spray she was back on the court to play a crucial part to help Goh Soon Huat reach the quarter-finals.
 
The Malaysians dumped home favorites and seventh seeds Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith 21-15, 26-24 in 49 minutes to keep Malaysia’s hopes alive in the mixed doubles after the defeat of Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying to Indonesia’s Tontowi Ahmad-Winny Oktavina Kandow.
 
Soon Huat-Shevon had won the first game quite easily but it was touch and go affair in the second as the English pair, cheered by the home fans, pegged the Malaysians with their aggressive approach.
 
Shevon injured herself as she moved back to intercept the shuttle and took a tumble, clutching her left ankle. She took a medical timeout and was cleared by the tournament doctor.
 
The Malaysians will face second seeds Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping of China for a place in the semifinals. The Chinese beat Hong Kong China’s Chang Tah Ching-Ng Wing Yung 21-17, 21-11.
 
Meanwhile, Liew Daren’s hopes in the men’s singles ended at the hands of defending champion and No 2 seed Shi Yuqi of China. The Chinese ace handed the Malaysian professional a crushing 21-8, 21-10 defeat in 33 minutes.
 
In another men’s singles, second round match India’s former world No 1 K. Srikanth ousted Indonesia’s Asian Games champion, Jonatan Christie. The seventh-seeded Indian won 21-17, 11-21, 21-12 and will take on top seed and world No 1 Kento Momota of Japan.
 
Momota stormed into the last eight with a 21-9, 21-11 win over Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen.
 
Also in the quarter-finals is Indonesian veteran Tommy Sugiarto who defeated China’s Huang Yuxiang 22-24, 21-17, 21-16 in a marathon 80-minute battle.
 
In the women’s singles, No 8 seed Saina Nehwal of India recovered from a one-game deficit to beat Denmark’s Line Kjaersfeldt 8-21, 21-16, 21-3 to advance to the quarter-finals.
 
China’s He Bingjiao, the sixth seed, defeated to Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 15-21, 21-15, 21-14 to book her place in the quarter-finals. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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