PETALING JAYA: Singles shuttlers Justin Hoh and Wong Ling Ching got off to a good start in their debut Asian Championships by clearing their respective group stage qualifiers.
In the men’s singles, world No. 48 Justin, who replaced injured world No. 8 Lee Zii Jia in the tourney, swept aside Iran’s Amirhossein Hasani 21-6, 21-14 in Group A before returning to beat Philippines’ Jewel Angelo Albo 21-14, 21-9 at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in China yesterday.
The 21-year-old will next face South Korea’s world No. 40 Jeon Hyeok-jin for a place in the second round.
Justin holds a slight advantage over Hyeok-jin after beating him in their only encounter so far in the Japan Masters qualifying round.
Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, Ling Ching also faced little trouble securing her spot in the main draw after brushing past Myanmar’s Thet Thuzar 21-16, 21-11 in Group A.
The youngster though has a steep hurdle next against Indonesia’s world No. 41 Komang Ayu.
It was disappointment though for women’s doubles pair Lee Zhi Qing-Tio Sue Xin after they went down 18-21, 12-21 to Pham Thi Dieu-Pham Thi Khanh in Group D.
Malaysians only
Group stage qualifiers
Men’s singles
Group A: Justin Hoh bt Amirhossein Hasani (Irn) 21-6, 21-14; Justin Hoh bt Jewel Angelo Albo (Phi) 21-14, 21-9.
Women’s singles
Group A: Wong Ling Ching bt Thet Thuzar (Mya) 21-16, 21-11.
Women’s doubles
Group D: Pham Thi Dieu-Pham Thi Khanh (Vie) bt Lee Zhi Qing-Tio Sue Xin 21-18, 21-12.
