PETALING JAYA: National men’s singles shuttler Hooi Shao Herng (pic) is bracing for a tougher challenge after reaching the boys’ quarter-finals of the National Under-21 championships.
The 19-year-old Shao Herng defeated Negri Sembilan’s Sie Zi Lok 21-16, 21-7 in the fourth round to set up a match against a familiar foe, Sarawakian Goh Shun Huat for a place in the semi-finals, at the Perak Badminton Academy today.
Shao Herng had beaten Shun Huat in the fifth round last year but despite holding a slight advantage, he wants to remains cautious.
“I’ve played against him (Shun Huat) before and it will be another tough match tomorrow (today),” said Shao Herng.
“He is a runner on the court, so I need to perform my best and try to win the match.”
Shao Herng had earlier got off to a smashing start after an easy 21-4, 21-3 win against Sarawak’s Lewis Liew Tao Chai in the first round. He also defeated Kelantanese Mohd Nor Hilsan Ahmad Isyraf Imran 21-3, 21-6 (second round) and Federal Territories’ Khoo Jun Sheng 21-8, 21-6 (third round).
Shao Herng admitted that it took him some time to adjust to Zi Lok’s style of playing but was pleased that he was able to win the match.
“It was quite tough at the start because I’m not used to his playing style and I was quite nervous too but I’m glad I overcame it,” he said.
Shao Herng is hoping to go one step better after suffering semi-finals exit in last year’s edition, where he lost to eventual champion Justin Hoh.
“My aim is to reach the final this year,” he said.
Top seed Chia Jeng Hon and recent German Junior Open runner-up Eogene Ewe lived up to expectations to join Shao Herng in the quarter-finals after defeating Penang’s Darell Chew Sen Xian (21-16, 21-14) and Selangor’s Mohd Atef Haikal Mohd Taufik (21-11, 22-20) respectively.
Jeng Hon will meet Samuel Lee of Penang while Eogene will face teammate Mohd Faiq Haziq today.
