NST 24 Aug 2006 WILL Malaysia win the men’s singles title in next month’s World Championships in Madrid? Based on current form, it doesn’t look possible as Lee Chong Wei and Mohd Hafiz Hashim were sent packing in the second round of the Korea Open yesterday. While fellow qualifier Kuan Beng Hong fell on Monday, World No 2 Chong Wei and Mohd Hafiz followed suit yesterday as they were beaten by lower ranked opponents at the Olympic Hall in Seoul. In contrast, women shuttlers Wong Mei Choo and Julia Wong beat higher ranked opponents to move into the third round. Chong Wei, the top seed, lost to compatriot Roslin Hashim, ranked 47th in the world. Roslin won 16-21, 21-14, 21-18 in 50 minutes. Roslin’s brother, Hafiz, the World No 9, suffered a shock defeat to Thailand’s P. Sapkulchananart, ranked 30 rungs below him. The Thai won 17-21, 22-20, 21-13 in 34 minutes. Sairul Ayob Amri joined Roslin in the third round by defeating fellow Malaysian Lee Tsuen Seng 21-3, 29-27 in 40 minutes. Sairul plays Kennevic Asunoon of the Philippines today. Yeoh Kay Bin and James Chua were shown the door by Thailand’s Boonsak Polsana and South Korea’s Hwang Jung Woon respectively. Meanwhile, Mew Choo was in superb form to beat second seed and World No 4 Wang Chen of Hong Kong 21-16, 21-15 in 30 minutes and meets Thailand’s Salakjit Ponsana in the last 16. Philippines Open runner-up Julia, ranked 32 in the world, beat Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin 20-22, 21-15, 21-19 in 52 minutes. Julia plays European champion Xu Huaiwen of Germany today. In the men’s doubles, Malaysia’s Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat have a bright chance of winning the title after top seeds Jens Eriksen-Martin Hansen Lundgaard of Denmark lost 12-21, 17-21 to China’s He Hanbin-Shen Ye in the first round. Chong Ming-Kien Keat, the second seeds, overcame England’s Lan Palethorpe-Kristian Roebuck 21-19, 21-11 but face a tough quarter-final against Indonesia’s Flandy Limpele-Sigit Budiarto today.
Now only Roslin Hashim to keep Malaysian Flag flying. Roslin Go! Go! Go! Get a birthday present for Malaysia 49th birthday
Poor Chong wei....he has been losing since the taiwan open.i really hope he can step up his game during the wc.i wonder wad happened?
Imagine both Roslin and Sairul are not even in the Malaysian National Team in the sense that they train with their own clubs, if I'm not mistaken.
Dont worry deROSE, Lee Chong wei is going to play in Hong Kong Open, so theres still time to get him into his winning form, same for Kuan.
