PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Soong Joo Ven has played against Kento Momota of Japan on two occasions – when the latter became an Asian junior champion and as a world No. 1.
And although Momota’s form is uncertain right now after slumping to the world No. 52 position, Joo Ven knows he will be still facing a tough opponent when both clash in the men’s singles quarter-finals of the Korean Masters in Gwangju today.
Yesterday, professional Joo Ven pulled off one of his best wins in recent times by packing off defending champion Jeon Hyeok-jin of South Korea 7-21, 21-14, 21-17 at the Gwangju Women’s University Stadium. It was Joo Ven’s first win against the Korean in four meetings.
“It’s really great to beat the defending champion at his home ground. He had also beaten Lee Zii Jia at the Sudirman Cup (in May). This big win is timely for me,” said Joo Ven.
“My ranking has suffered a significant drop (79th in the world). This win today will help me to move up a bit.
“I’ve always had trouble playing against Korean and Japanese players. They are physically stronger and it’s hard to win even one point from them. So, the win against Hyeok-jin is really special.”
Joo Ven remembers his first encounter against Momota when the former lost in the final of the 2012 Asian Junior championships. After that win, Momota enjoyed a meteoric rise in his career, which saw him winning two world titles, and dominating world badminton before a crash after winning the 2020 Malaysian Masters halted his progress.
The Malaysian had also played against Momota when he was ranked No. 1 during the Purple League at home.
“I’ve played him once during the junior days and once when he was on top of the world at the home league. I truly respect him as a player,” he said.
“Now, I’ve a chance to play against him again.
‘‘I’m not sure of his form and that will make this match a little tricky but knowing his credentials, I know that I have to give my utmost best to win.”
Joo Ven will be joined by Leong Jun Hao, who had an easier passage to the quarters.
Jun Hao defeated Kalle Koljonen 21-16 in the opening game before his opponent retired at 0-3 in the second. His next opponent is Lei Lanxi of China.
In the men’s doubles, only Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are left standing after they beat Chiu Hsiang-chieh-Yang Ming-tse of Taiwan 21-14, 21-18 in the second round. Their next opponents are home favourites and reigning world champions Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae.
It was a good day for the mixed doubles as Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie made it to the last eight.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei have to beat Chiu Hsiang-chieh-Lin Xiao-min to reach the semis while the professional pairs Kian Meng-Pei Jing and Soon Huat-Shevon have to overcome China’s Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Xaxin and South Korea’s Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun in their respective quarter-final matches.
RESULTS
(Malaysians only)
SECOND ROUND
Men’s singles: Leong Jun Hao bt Kalle Koljonen (Fin) 21-16, 3-0, rtd; Soong Joo Ven bt Jeon Hyeok-jin (Kor) 7-21, 21-14, 21-17.
Men’s doubles: Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae (Kor) bt Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong 21-18, 21-9; Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani bt Chiu Hsiang-chieh-Yang Ming-tse (Tpe) 21-14, 21-18.
Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin 21-9, 21-8; Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie bt An Yun-seong-Lee Yeon-woo (Kor) 21-11, 21-13; Kim Won-ho- Jeong Na-eun (Kor) bt Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow 21-11, 21-12; Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing bt Wu Hsuan-yi-Yang Chu-yun (Tpe) 22-20, 18-21, 21-18.
