Big test awaits Daren in quarters (updated)

GLASGOW: Beleaguered men’s singles shuttler Liew Daren had better brace himself for his biggest test at the Commonwealth Games.

Daren is through to the quarter- finals after an easy 21-19, 21-12 win over Sri Lanka’s Dinuka Karunaratna at the Emirates Arena on Thursday.

Chong Wei Feng also joined him in the last eight after beating Northern Ireland’s Tony Stephenson 21-15, 21-10.

For Daren, his real test will be against India’s top player P. Kashyap on Friday.

This match-up could well decide whether he will be picked for the Asian Games in Incheon next month or be put in cold storage again.

World No. 22 Kashyap and Daren have met three times, with the Malaysian winning twice – in the 2008 Smiling Fish Satellite tournament and 2010 Macau Open.

But last year, an injured Daren had to concede a walkover to the Indian in the opening round of the Denmark Open.

Kashyap is in good form in Glasgow while 2012 French Open champion Daren is struggling to make a comeback.

Thus, the match against Kashyap could be a tricky one for the Malaysian.

“My performance at the Games here is crucial. I’m fighting to win the national selectors’ favour and to be considered for the Asiad squad and other international tournaments,” said Daren.

“In the mixed team event, I was fielded in the tie against Sri Lanka. I guess my biggest challenge will be against Kashyap.

“He is ranked higher than me and is the overwhelming favourite. I have beaten him before but it will be more challenging this time. A win is important ... and I need it badly.”