PETALING JAYA: Independent shuttler Soong Joo Ven (pic) will be in familiar territory when he takes on top seed Chou Tien-chen, a player who used to regularly spar with the Malaysian a couple of years ago, in a second round clash of the Taiwan Open today.
World No. 72 Joo Ven secured his place in the last 16 after beating fellow Malaysian Tan Jia Jie 21-18, 21-11 while Tien-chen easily overcame Saran Jamsri of Thailand 21-13, 21-13 in the first round yesterday.
Tien-chen used to frequent Sports Affairs Badminton Academy to spar with Joo Ven and several other independent shuttlers in 2022 and 2023.
Joo Ven has often seen Tien-chen, a cancer survivor, a source of inspiration due to his diligence and his ability to remain among the elite shuttlers for more than a decade without a coach.
Tien-chen, 34, did well at the Paris Olympics by reaching the last eight where he lost to India’s Lakshya Sen.
Joo Ven has since set up his own training base at the Tops Arena Empire in Cheras which has been home to several independent players and rising players.
Brazilian Ygor Coelho and Azrerbaijan’s Ade Resky also trained with Joo Ven before competing at the Paris Olympics.
The new intiative has not only benefited independent shuttlers but Joo Ven’s own form has also improved as he gets more players to spar with.
Should Joo Ven secure an upset, it could be his first win over Tien-chen in four meetings and also his first appearance in the quarter-final stage this year.
Joo Ven said that Tien-chen has the edge in today’s clash. “I think I’m the underdog because he is a very good and experienced player,” said Joo Ven. “So I will just do my best for tomorrow’s game.”
Meanwhile, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) shuttler Justin Hoh also reached the second round after beating Arnaud Merkle of France 10-21, 21-14, 21-13.
Justin will meet Indonesian shuttler Yohannes Marcellyno, who upset sixth seed Kiran George of India 15-21, 21-8, 21-16 today.
However, it was the end of the road for another independent shuttler Cheam June Wei who was beaten 19-21, 13-21 by Taiwan’s Chi-yu jen.
In the men’s doubles, top junior pair Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai advanced to the second round after beating Chang Kai-hsiang-Wu Guan-xun of Taiwan 21-15, 21-17.
They will play another Taiwan pair Chang Ko-chi-Chen Xin-yuan for a place in the last eight today.
RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
Malaysians unless stated
Men’s singles: Soong Joo Ven bt Tan Jia Jie 21-18, 21-11; Justin Hoh bt Arnaud Merkle (Fra) 10-21, 21-14, 21-13; Chi Yu-jen (Tpe) bt Cheam June Wei 21-19, 21-13.
Men’s doubles: Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai bt Chang Kai-hsiang-Wu Guan-xun (Tpe) 21-15, 21-17.
Women’s singles: S. Kisona bt Thet Htar Thuzar (Mya) 21-17, 21-17.
Mixed doubles: Lin Bing-wei-Lin Chih-chun (Tpe) bt Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien 21-17, 21-15.
