Malaysia’s last hope in the men’s singles Cheam June Wei was shown the exit in the USD500,000 Chinese Taipei Open in Taipei but gave a good account of himself in his 11-21, 21-15, 17-21 defeat to top seed and home favorite Chou Tien Chen.
The Malaysian youngster hailed as a star in the making battled for 63-minutes before bowing out on lack of experience. Tien Chen will face Indonesian youngster Shesar Hiren Rhustavito for a place in the final.
Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik also fell by the wayside. The All-England runners-up crashed to an 18-21, 14-21 defeat to Koreans Choi Solgyu-Seo Seung-Jae in only 32 minutes.
However, the Malaysian flag is still flying in Taipei – thanks professionals Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles) and Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (men’s doubles) made the last four in their respective events.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying, the top seeds, again had to come through three games to beat Indonesian No 6 seeds Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas Mentari 18-21, 21-14, 21-14 in an hour-long match.
The Malaysians will face Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet, the No 4 seeds from Hong Kong China in the semi-finals.
V Shem-Wee Kiong had an easier match against Koreans Kim Gi Jung-Lee Yong Dae in their 21-18, 21-19 win in 37 minutes. For a place in the final, V Shem-Wee Kiong will take on Denmark’s Mathias Boe-Mads Conrad Peteresen who upset top seeds Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia 21-16, 19-21, 21-17. RIZAL ABDULLAHÂ
