Goh Jin Wei strolled into the women’s singles quarter-finals in the Perodua Malaysia Masters – as she blew away China’s Zhang Yiman 21-13, 21-10 in 44 minutes at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on thursday.
Another Chinese hurdle awaits the 18-year-old Malaysian for a place in the semi-finals when she plays world 27 He Bingjiao. Bingjiao, ranked seven and seeded fifth in the Malaysia Masters, defeated last week’s Thailand Masters champion Fitriani Fitriani 21-14, 21-11 in her second round match.
The 100PLUS Ambassador has been in her element after winning the Youth Olympics title and regained her World Junior title in Buenos Aires and Markham, Canada respectively last year.
Described as one of Malaysia’s best woman badminton talent to have emerged in the country in recent times, Jin Wei is “enjoying” her game which received a big boost after knocking out third seed and fifth ranked Akane Yamaguchi in the first round.
Meanwhile, qualifier Lee Zii Jia, ranked 37, will face defending champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark for a place in the semi-finals after crushing Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto, ranked 9, 21-15, 21-17 in the second round. Nishimoto had upset top seed and world champion Kento Momota in the first round.
“It will be the first time I will be playing Axelsen. It will be a good experience for me but I will be giving my best against the champion who is coming back from a long layoff from injury,” said Zii Jia, who also reached the quarter-finals in the Thailand Masters.
Another Malaysian who hogged the limelight in the men’s singles is Liew Daren. The 31-year-old outplayed Victor Svendsen 21-18, 21-7.
Second seed Shi Yuqi and third seed Chen Long of China also advanced to the last eight. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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