All-England: Chong Wei downs China's Zhengming to reach quarter-finals

World No 1 Lee Chong Wei showed he was back in business when he crushed Wang Zhengming of China 21-17, 21-19 to reach the men's singles quarter-finals in the All-England at National Indoor Arena.
And the good news is that Chong Wei will have a handful of company in the quarter-finals this time.
He will be joined by two men doubles pairs - Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong and Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari and women doubles shuttlers Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo, who surprised everyone with their breakthrough performances Thursday.
A day after surviving from the brink of defeat against Hong Kong's Wong Wing Ki, top seed Chong Wei turned on a classic display of confidence to beat the former world junior champion Zhengming and set-up a meeting against his old rival Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam.
Chong Wei had played against Tien Minh for a total of 10 times. The Malaysian had won all except for the 2009 Singapore Open. Then, he had lost in the second round.
Today, the two-time All-England champion Chong Wei has promised to keep the Malaysian flag flying.
"Unlike on the first day, I played much better today and I feel good about it going into the quarter," said Chong Wei.
"But credit must be given to Zhengming for trying his best to unsettle me. I am still focused on winning my third All-England title here," he added.
Two other Chinese players - Chen Long and Chen Jin marched to the second round with convincing wins too. They will take on respectively.
It was a day of mixed fortune for Malaysia in the men's doubles when world No 2 pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were sent packing by unseeded Maneepong Jongjit-Nipitphon Puangpuapech of Thailand. The Thais upstaged the Malaysians 21-17, 21-18 in just 34 minutes.
Fortunately, Thien How-Wee Kiong and Zakry-Fairuzizuan made up for Kien Keat-Boon Heong's uninspiring performances by marching into the last eight confidently.
Thien How-Wee Kiong ended the gallant run of Germany's Ingo Kindervater-Johannes Schoettler with a sensational 21-15, 21-15 win. The Germans had upset South Koreans Lee Yong-dae-Ko Sung-hyun on the first day.
KLRC's Fairuzizuan-Zakry also did well to beat Ricky Karanda Suwardi-Mohd Ulinnuha 21-19, 21-15 in convincing styles.
On Friday, Thien How-Wee Kiong will face reigning Malaysian Open champions Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia while Zakry-Fairuzizuan meets China's Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan, who did well to pack off hot favourites and top seeds Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark with a superb 11-21, 21-11, 27-25 win.
The biggest suprise of the day for Malaysia Thursday came through women shuttlers Khe Wei-Vivian. They pulled off a stunning upset 21-13, 17-21, 21-17 over fourth seeds Eom Hye-won-Jang Ye-na of South Korea in a match that lasted for one hour and three minutes.
They will take on Japan's Miyuki Maeda-Satoko Suetsuna on Friday for a place in the semi-final.
Said Vivian: "We are so happy because this is a big breakthrough for us. And more importantly, this win proved that Khe Wei is back at her best from her knee injury."
"It be will tough against the Japanese but I think, we stand an equal chance if continue to play confidently."

The Star