PETALING JAYA: A valiant comeback effort by men’s doubles shuttlers Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi proved successful as they moved into the quarter-finals of the Spain Masters.
Taking on Taiwanese pair Lu Chen-Po Li-wei in the second round in Madrid yesterday, the world No. 65 Malaysians came from behind to close out the game 18-21, 21-15, 24-22.
They previously took down another Taiwanese pair Lu Ming-che-Tang Kai-wei 21-18, 21-9 in the opening round.
However, Roy King’s mixed doubles campaign with Valeree Siow ended in the first round after allowing Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu to come back from behind and win 17-21, 21-19, 21-18 on Wednesday.
In the men’s singles category, Leong Jun Hao got past Spain’s Pablo Abian, winning the first round fixture 21-16, 21-18.
Meanwhile, mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie crashed out of the tournament in the opening round after losing to China’s Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi 21-18, 21-18.
Their recent success at the Swiss Open could not be replicated as the pair went into the tournament with high spirits.
“It was tough for us as we were in pretty good condition this past week and came into this tournament confident,” said Shevon.
“But the shuttle and playing conditions were a little different and we were struggling to adapt as our opponents were all over us.
“They had good speed which makes a very good combination with a fast shuttle.’’
It was only the second time the pairs had met, the first meeting coming in January when they played each other at the Indian Open’s second round, with the Malaysians taking the win.
RESULTS
First round
Malaysians only
Men’s singles: Leong Jun Hao bt Pablo Abian (Spa) 21-16, 21-18.
Mixed doubles: Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi (Chn) bt Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie 21-18, 21-18; Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu (Ina) bt Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow 17-21, 21-19, 21-18.
Second round
Men’s doubles: Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi bt Lu Chen-Po Li-wei (Tpe) 18-21, 21-15, 24-22.
