PETALING JAYA: Independent men’s singles shuttler Cheam June Wei had only himself to blame after suffering a shock loss in the second round of the Indonesian International Challenge in Malang yesterday.
June Wei, who had hoped to continue his good form after reaching his first semi-final in four years at the Vietnam Open a fortnight ago instead suffered a nightmare when he unexpectedly went down 16-21, 21-17, 7-21 to unheralded home player Syabda Perkasa.
His coach Nova Armada was left to rue his charge’s self doubt and mistakes in the match.
“Yesterday, Cheam made a lot of mistakes. He should have won the third game too after winning the second but was too fearful. He started doubting himself while his opponent played without fear,” lamented Nova.
The loss will be a blow to June Wei but he does not have much time to dwell on it as he is set to play in the Indonesian Masters next week.
Lim Chong King also exited the tournament after being shown the door by homester Sulistio Tegar, losing 12-21, 8-21.
Meanwhile, there was good news for the other Malaysians in the tournament as all made it into the third round.
Ong Ken Yon, who is ranked 162nd in the world produced the standout result when he stunned Taiwan’s world No. 77 Lee Chia Hao 21-19, 21-18.
Ken Yon will take on South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin next for a place in the last eight.
He will be joined in the third round by Leong Jun Hao, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and Lee Shun Yang.
SECOND ROUND RESULTS
Men’s singles: Syabda Perkasa (Ina) bt Cheam June Wei 21-16, 17-21, 21-7; Ong Ken Yon bt Lee Chia Hao 21-19, 21-18; Leong Jun Hao bt Liu Liang (Chn) 15-21, 21-16, 21-16; Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin bt Park Song-yang (Kor) 21-14, 21-16; Lee Shun Yang bt Christian Adinata (Ina) 21-13, 21-9; Sulistio Tegar bt Lim Chong King 21-12, 21-8.
Men’s doubles: Mohd Haikal Nazri-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi bt Akbar Cahyono-Ryan Wicaksono (Ina) 21-10, 21-7; Alfian Prasetya-Ade Santoso (Ina) bt Chang Yee Jun-Yap Roy King 21-14, 21-13.
Women’s singles: Goh Jin Wei bt Stephanie Widjaja (Ina) 15-21, 21-13, 21-17; S. Kisona bt Lyanny Mainaky 21-6, 21-8; Soniia Cheah bt Aura Ihza (Ina) 21-18, 22-24.
