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# Roaring start by mixed doubles pair Kian Meng-Pei Jing in mixed doubles
# Yeoh Seng Zoe advances to main in men’s singles under BAM banner
The Malaysian mixed doubles pair of Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing pulled off a stunning win over Sea Games champions Praveen Jordan-Debby Susanto in the first round of the mixed doubles in the USD120,000 Victor Far East Malaysia Masters at the Spice Arena in Penang on Tuesday.
The Malaysians who came through the qualifiers upset the Indonesians, the third seeds in the tournament with a 21-10, 21-16 in 36 minutes.
The win is all the more remarkable because Kian Meng was playing his fifth match of the day. He and partner Low Juan Shen also advanced to the main draw in the men’s doubles after winning both their qualifying round matches.
“This win over the SEA Games champions takes away my tiredness. Our partnership is still new and to beat the third seeds is a big achievement. I did not feel the tiredness of playing five matches on the day,” said Kian Meng.
A jubilant Pei Jing is hoping that her partnership with Kian Meng in the mixed doubles will bear fruits.
In the qualifiers Kian Meng-Pei Jing defeated two Taiwanese pairs – Wang Chi-lin-Lee Chia-hsin 11-21, 21-11, 21-14 in the first round and followed it up with a 21-16, 21-10 win over Wu Hsiao-lin-Hsieh Pei Chen in the second round.
Two other Malaysian pairs in the mixed doubles also advanced to the second round. Eighth seeds Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying outplayed Japan’s Ryota Taohata-Koharu Yonemoto 21-15, 21-16 while qualifiers Wong Fai Yin-Shevon Lai Jemie made short-work of Philip Chew-Jamie Subandhi (USA) with a 21-10, 21-11 win.
In the men’s singles there was also cheer for hometown boy Yeoh Seng Zoe who made a great start under the BAM banner after quitting Looi Badminton Academy.
The Penangite made the main draw after coming through two matches in the qualifying round. Seng Zoe came off 21-12, 19-21, 21-10 winner against Hong Kong’s Tam Chun Hei in the first round.
In the second round it was another three-set battle for Seng Zoe when came back from a set down to beat Taiwan’s Yang Yi-hsiang 17-21, 24-22, 21-7 in 48 minutes – cheered on by BAM Technical Director Morten Frost in the stands.
“It is a great start for me under the BAM banner,” said Seng Zoe after his win.
There was also a bright spark in the women’s singles with Lim Yin Fun making the main draw for a match against Commonwealth Games silver medallist Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland.
In the qualifiers Yin Fun defeated India’s Saili Rane 12-21, 21-19, 18-17 (retired) and Indonesia’s Fitriani Fitriani 22-20, 21-15 in the second round.
“I am confident I will do well in this tournament. I do not fear playing Kirsty after the win over Fitriani,” said Yin Fun.
