Vivian-Khe Wei stun world champions to make quarters

Malaysia women's doubles player Woon Khe Wei (centre) and Vivian Hoo score a huge by 17-21, 21-11, 22-20 win over Chinese pair Yu Yang- Wang Xiaoli in the second round Asian Games badminton competition at the Gyeyang Gymnasium on Wednesday. - Izzrafiq Alias/TheStar

INCHEON: Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei set up a chance to become Malaysia’s first Asiad badminton medal winner in women’s doubles in 44 years after shocking 2013 world champions Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang of China at the Gyeyang Gymnasium. 

Vivian-Khe Wei covered well for each other to pull off a come-from-behind 11-21, 21-11, 22-20 in 55 minutes over the world No. 7 in yesterday afternoon’s last-16 match to reach the quarter-finals. 

The Malaysians, champions at last month’s Commonwealth Games, opened their campaign in the morning with a 21-15, 21-6 first-round win over Chen Hsiao-huan-Lai Chia-wen of Taiwan.

Today, the world No. 19 will play Macau’s Wang Rong-Zhang Zhibo for a place in the semi-finals. The Macanese overcame South Korea’s Chang Ye-na-Kim So-yeong 17-21, 18-21. 
With the losing semi-finalists assured of a medal, Vivian-Khe Wei are now on the brink of achieving a breakthrough for Malaysian women’s badminton.

Malaysia have won an Asiad medal in women’s badminton only twice - through Tan Gaik Bee-Ng Mei Ling in Jakarta in 1962 and Rosalind Singha Ang-Teoh Siew Yong in 1970 in Bangkok.

Vivian-Khe Wei, however, are not in the mood to celebrate yet despite recording their first-ever win over a top Chinese pair.

“We are still not assured of anything yet. The quarter-finals will not be an easy one. The Macau pair also beat a good South Korean pair. Anyway, we will try our best to score a win,” said Vivian, who partnered Khe Wei to deliver Malaysia’s only badminton gold at the Myanmar SEA Games last year.  

On their victory over Xiaoli-Yu Yang, Khe Wei said: “We attacked very well today. And we had nothing to lose. It looked like they were under a lot of pressure. 

“It feels good to beat a top Chinese pair. They were the runners-up at the World Championships in Copenhagen last month.”

Amelia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho, the other Malaysian pair, failed to clear their first round, losing 27-29, 16-21 to Taerattanachai Sapsiree-Supajirakul Puttita of Thailand.