Liew Daren blew the advantage he had to lose in three games to Takuma Ueda in the first round of the Australian Open in Sydney. - filepic
KUALA LUMPUR: Liew Daren’s hopes of a sweet revenge over Takuma Ueda of Japan went bust in the men’s singles first round of the Australian Open badminton championships in Sydney.
On Wednesday, Daren easily won the first game and held match point in the second but still fell to a 21-9, 21-23, 15-21 loss in a 65-minute match.
Daren also came agonisingly close to beating Euda in the decider of the Thomas Cup final in New Delhi last month. He lost and Japan went on to clinch the Cup for the first time in their history.
Despite the disappointment of losing again, Daren said he saw some positive signs in his game.
“I should have won in straight games today. I was trailing 6-11 in the second game but fought back to hold advantage at 20-19, but luck was not on my side,” said Daren.
“I wanted so badly to beat him after losing in the Thomas Cup. Unfortunately, it did not happen here. But I played with more confidence here and that is important to me.
Since a series of injuries at the start of this year, I have been struggling to regain my form and confidence,” added Daren, who now shifts his attention to the Taiwan Open from July 15-20.
The other Malaysian singles representatives – Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Chiang Jiann Shiarng – also failed to clear the opening round.
Malaysia, however, enjoyed better fortunes in the men’s doubles with all the four pairs – Hoon Thien How-Tan Boon Heong, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Lim Khim Wah-Ow Yao Han and Chan Kwong Beng-Chiang Jiann Shiarng – making it to the second round.
On Thursday, Thien How-Boon Heong will take on Khim Wah-Yao Han while V Shem-Wee Kiong will square off against Indonesians Markis Kido-Gideon Markus Fernaldi for a place in the quarter-finals.
Professionals Kwong Beng-Jiann Shiarng of Kawasaki Badminton Club, who had a first-round bye, will face fifth seeds Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan of China.
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