PETALING JAYA: Olympians Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei defeated Taiwanese opponents in contrasting styles to check into the second round of the women's doubles and mixed doubles respectively at the Japan Open.
Pearly-Thinaah, who became the first Malaysian women pair to reach the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in Paris, got off to a rough start but took time to steady the ship before winning 21-17, 22-24, 21-11 against Hu Ling-fang-Jheng Yu-chieh in the opening round in Yokohama.
They will face Julie Finne-Ipsen-Mai Surrow of Denmark next and should progress to the quarter-finals.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei however, stayed solid in their game to beat Liu Kuang-heng-Jheng-Yu-chieh 21-19, 21-14. The duo, who surprised everyone to reach the quarter-finals in their first Olympics in Paris, will play Mads Vestergaard-Christine Busch of Denmark and on paper, should win.
Independent shuttlers Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie's campaign ended after they lost 12-21, 18-21 to China's Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi.
In the men's singles, Leong Jun Hao has set up a match against local star Kodai Naraoka in the second round after disposing of another homester Takuma Obayashi of Japan 21-15, 21-17.
Meanwhile, it was a good day for Malaysia in the men's doubles as both Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and independent shuttlers Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi won their opening matches.
They however, will take on each other in the second round, but one ticket is assured for Malaysia in the quarter-finals.
RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
Men's singles: Leong Jun Hao bt Takuma Obayashi (Jpn) 21-15, 21-17.
Men's doubles: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bt Lin Bingwei-Su Ching-heng (Tpe) 21-10, 21-7; Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi bt Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard (Den) 21-14, 21-13.
Women's doubles: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah bt Hu Ling-fang-Jheng Yu-chieh (Tpe) 21-17, 22-24, 21-11.
Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Liu Kuang-heng-Jheng-Yu-chieh (Tpe) 21-19, 21-14; Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi (Chn) bt Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie 21-12, 21-18.
