Joo Ven unhappy with his lack of killer instinct

Tough assignment: Soong Joo Ven will take on India’s P. Kashyap in the quarter-finals today.

PETALING JAYA: Soong Joo Ven had mixed feelings despite reaching the quarter-finals of the Taiwan Open.

Joo Ven was happy to secure a 21-6, 25-23 win over Japan’s Koki Watanabe but was not too pleased with his performance yesterday.

The world No. 59 had to save six game points in the second game to overcome his opponent in 42 minutes.

After an easy first game, Joo Ven was down 16-20 but the independent shuttler battled hard to prevail and avoided dragging the match into a deciding game.

“I am not too confident in crucial stages and not daring enough to go for the kill. But I managed to overcome and I’m happy for that,” said Joo Ven.

“I also played solid right till the end in the first round and I did not let it slip away. But I need to be consistent against every opponent.”

Joo Ven will be playing India’s veteran shuttler P. Kashyap, who defeated Taiwan’s Li Chia-hao 21-10, 21-19, in the last eight today.

“He has beaten good players here, has the experience and looks fit,” added Joo Ven.

“Players like Kashyap are not easy to beat and they are quite relaxed at crucial stages. I need to stay focused.”

However, it was the end of the road for Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) player Leong Jun Hao who lost 21-10, 21-15 to second seed Wang Tzu-wei of Taiwan in the second round.

Commonwealth Games-bound Goh Jin Wei continued her march when she defeated Indonesia’s Komang Ayu Dewi 21-11, 21-17 to reach the last eight. Jin Wei plays Saena Kawakami of Japan today.

In men’s doubles, Man Wei Chung-Tee Kai Wun and Boon Yin Xuan-Wong Tien Ci also made it to the quarter-finals.

Wei Chung-Kai Wun defeated Taiwan’s Cheng Kai-wen-Liu Kuang Heng 22-20, 21-18 to set up a showdown against another local pair Liao Min-chun-Yang Chun-hsien today.

Yin Xuan-Tien Ci outpayed third seeds Lu Ching-yao-Yang Poh-han of Taiwan 21-16, 21-11 in the second round. They will play Hong Kong’s Lau Cheuk Him-Lee Chun Hei next.

In other matches, independent pair Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah lost to another Taiwan combination Lee Chia-han-Lin Yong-sheng 21-18, 17-21, 21-18 in the second round.

Mixed doubles Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei stayed in the hunt for their maiden crown when they edged Taiwan’s third seeds Lee Jhe-huei-Hsu Ya-ching 21-23, 23-21, 21-14 to reach the last eight.

RESULTS

Second round (Malaysians unless stated)

Men’s singles: Soong Joo Ven bt Koki Watanabe (Jpn) 21-6, 25-23; Wang Tzu-wei (Tpe) bt Leong Jun Hao 21-10, 21-15.

Men’s doubles: Man Wei Chung-Tee Kai Wun bt Cheng Kai-wen-Liu Kuang Heng (Tpe) 22-20, 21-18; Boon Yin Xuan-Wong Tien Ci bt Lu Ching-yao-Yang Poh-han of (Tpe) 21-16, 21-11; Lee Chia-han-Lin Yong-sheng (Tpe) bt Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah 21-18, 17-21, 21-18.

Women’s singles: Goh Jin Wei bt Komang Ayu Dewi of (Ina) 21-11, 21-17; Lauren Lim (US) bt Eoon Qi Xuan 18-21, 21-15, 21-15.

Mixed doubles: Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei bt Lee Jhehuei-Hsu Ya-ching (Tpe) 21-23, 23-21, 21-14.