PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei cleared the first round hurdle against China Masters runners-up Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand but top Malaysian doubles pairs Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were sent packing from the Japan Open badminton championships in Tokyo yesterday.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong, the bronze medallists in the world championships in Hyderabad last month, were beaten 16-21, 20-22 by Japan’s Kenichi Hayakawa-Kenta Kazuno in 32 minutes. Although they led 11-4 in the second game, the world No. 2 pair failed to force a rubber game.