KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Four Malaysian representatives, including men’s singles shuttlers Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong, have marched into the semi-finals of the Arctic Open 2023 in Vantaa, Finland.
In the quarter-final action in Vantaa Energia Arena yesterday, professional player Lee beat compatriot Leong Jun Hao, who had to retire when trailing 7 – 11 in the rubber game due to injury.
The eight-seeded Lee won the opening game 21 – 16 before Leong forced the decider with a 21 – 19 win in the second game.
The world number 14 Lee will next take on third seed Anders Antonsen of Denmark, who saw off Koki Watanabe from Japan 21 – 9, 22 – 24, 21 – 14 in another last-eight tie.
The unseeded Ng upset the fourth seed from China, Lu Guang Zu, 21 – 11, 21 – 18, and will meet seventh seed Kanta Tsuneyama, who disposed of China’s Lei Lan Xi 21 – 19, 21 – 12.
National men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong – Tee Kai Wun made it to the semi-finals following a 22 – 20, 21 – 18 victory over Indonesia’s Pramudya Kusumawardana – Yeremia Ercih Yoche Yacob Rambitan.
Man – Tee will next play Danish pair Rasmus Kjaer – Frederik Sogaard, who came from behind to prevent an all-Malaysian affair in today’s semi-finals by eliminating professional duo and third seeds Ong Yew Sin – Teo Ee Yi 16 – 21, 21 – 19, 21 – 14.
National mixed doubles pair and fifth seeds Chen Tang Jie – Toh Ee Wei took 42 minutes to stun the second seeds from Thailand, Dechapol Puavaranukroh – Sapsiree Taerattanachai, 21 – 14, 21 – 17.
China’s fourth seeds Jiang Zhen Bang – Wei Ya Xin await the Malaysians in the semi-finals after receiving a walkover from Mathias Christiansen – Alexandrta Boje of Denmark, who retired in the rubber game.
Jiang – Wei lost the first game 19 – 21 but won the second 21 – 14 before an injury to Christiansen forced the Danish pair to retire.
— Bernama
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