World number one and top seed Kento Momota lasted only 74 minutes in the USD350,000 Perodua Malaysia Masters at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday – going out in the first round.Â
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The reigning Asian and world champion was humbled 21-15, 14-21, 22-20 by his unseeded compatriot Kenta Nishimoto. Momota had gone into the match with 2-0 advantage in the head to head count after winning in the China Open last year and the Canada Open in 2017.
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Nishimoto will now take on Malaysia’s hope Lee Zii Jia for a place in the quarter-finals.
Zii Jia, who had to come through the qualifying rounds to make the main draw was also taken the full distance in his come-from-behind 14-21, 21-18, 21-10 win over Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomnoonsuk in 62 minutes.
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Malaysian professional Liew Daren also ended his losing streak to Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto. The Malaysian defeated the number eight seed 23-21, 21-13 in a remarkable fightback in the first game.
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The 31-year-old Daren was staring at a big defeat in the first game after being 2-11 down but all that changed when the Thomas Cupper changed his pace in the game.
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“I was playing too slow and lacked aggression before the break in the first game. All that changed after I upped my tempo and changed my pace in the game,” said Daren.
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Daren will face Danish qualifier Victor Svendsen who strolled into the second round when his first round opponent, Korean veteran Lee hyun-il retired afteronly two minutes of play with the score 3-1 in favour of the Dane.
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Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, who won the Thailand Masters last week needed three games to beat Chinese qualifier Di Zijian-Wang Chang 21-14, 19-21, 21-9.
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The Rio Olympic silver medal winners who turned professional this year will face sixth seeds Mohamad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan in the second round. The Indonesians beat Korean privateers Kim Gi-jung-Lee Yong-dae 21-16, 21-13.
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Also through are Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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