# Both fail to clear the second hurdle in qualifying round
# Three-time champion Lee Chong Wei to face qualifier Kazumasa in the first round
By Rizal Abdullah
Hours after announcing that he is leaving the national team Chong Wei Feng failed to make the main draw in the USD300,000 Yonex Sunrise India Superseries in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Former world and Asian junior champion Zulfadli Zulkfli, who is strongly tipped to be in Malaysia’s team to the Thomas Cup Finals in Kunshan in May did no better.
Both, Wei Feng and Zulfadli, fell in the second round in the qualifiers after defeating their first round opponents.
Wei Feng was once again the victim of Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto who won the second round match 21-18, 21-11 in 45 minutes. The 29-year-old Wei Feng won his first round match against India’s Koushal Dharmamer 24-22, 21-19 in 48 minutes.
Zulfadli, who is a privateer, defeated India’s Pratul Joshi 21-9, 21-13 in the first round but fell to Japan’s Kazumasa Sakai 18-21, 17-21 in the second round for a place in the main draw.
With their exit Malaysia’s hopes are on World No 3 Datuk Lee Chong Wei – a three-time winner of India Open. He won in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Chong Wei is the top seed and will face Kazumasa in the first round.
RESULTS (Qualifying)
First round
Chong Wei Feng (Mas) beat Kaushal Dharmamer (Ind) 24-22, 21-19
Zulfadli Zulkifli (Mas) beat Pratul Joshi (Ind) 21-9, 21-13
Second round
Kenta Nishimoto (Jpn) beat Chong Wei Feng (Mas) 21-18, 21-11
Kazumasa Sakai (Jpn) beat Zulfadli Zulkifli (Mas) 21-18, 21-17
