TheStar

JAKARTA: Malaysia's Wong Choong Hann had to dug deep into his reserves to overcome Indonesia's former number one Marleve Mainaky and earn a place in the second round of the US$170,000 Indonesia Open badminton championships here yesterday.

Choong Hann battled for one hour to beat the 2001 Indonesia Open champion 15-11, 12-15, 15-4 in the first round of play at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Five other Malaysian singles players also qualified for the second round of the season-ending international circuit tournament.

Malaysian number one Lee Chong Wei cruised to a 15-5, 15-1 victory over Indonesia's Roy Purnomo.

Kuan Beng Hong and Mohd Hafiz Hashi also beat Indonesian players. Beng Hong defeated Citra Made 15-3, 15-4 while Hafiz downed Jeffer Rosobin 15-8, 15-12.

Former national player Sairol Amar Ayob beat 10th seed Shoji Sato of Japan 15-7, 15-6 while Pei Wei Chung defeated Indonesia's Putro Wisnu Haryo 15-6, 15-11.

As expected, Yeoh Kay Bin failed to make it past the first round. He was beaten 5-15, 6-15 by China's top seed and world number one Lin Dan.

K. Yogendran was also shown the exit, losing 10-15, 15-12, 16-17 to 12th seed Agus Hariyanto of Hong Kong.

The Malaysian women’s doubles of Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty beat Indonesia’s Wijaya Chandrawati-Murani Irma 15-6, 15-6.

Two Malaysian pairs are through to the second round of the mixed doubles competition at the expense of Indonesian opponents.

Taiwan Open champion Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty enjoyed a easy ride to the second round, beating Gustaman Titon-Chandra Lelyana 15-8, 15-1.

Teammate Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mooi Hing Yau beat Denny Setiawan-Pawestri Richa 15-7, 15-11.