Superb form: Liew Daren and Tan Chun Seang (inset) advanced into the quarterfinals. — AFPYesterday, the 26-year-old professional, who just joined Austria as their assistant national coach, finally flourished in the picturesque city of Odense with his best career win when he upset fourth seed and world No. 5 Simon Santoso 21-14, 21-19 win in 36 minutes.
He joins world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei and Liew Daren in what could be described as a memorable day for Malaysia’s men’s singles department.
Malaysia have never had three singles players in the quarter-finals of a Super Series event.
But the spotlight truly belonged to southpaw Chun Seang, who squealed in delight after his breakthrough win yesterday. He had never made it past the second round of the Super Series event when he was under Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) banner. BAM, however, banned him in 2010 when he decided to turn pro. The ban limited him to participating in non-Asian countries only.
Chun Seang said that as an independent player “I was able to enjoy the game without having to deal with any form of pressure” and is grateful to two parties – his sponsor Apacs and the Austria BA.
“I was on the verge of quitting after BAM banned me in 2010. But Apacs came to my rescue and gave me an opportunity to play in Europe and America. Without a sponsor, I would have given up,” said Chun Seang.
“To live in Europe is expensive. Then Austria’s national coach John Dinesen asked me if I wanted to become his assistant. I accepted the offer and now I have a decent income.
“The win over Simon makes it even more wonderful.”
Chun Seang will take on the winner of the match between China’s Du Pengyu and Germany’s Marc Zwiebler.
Asked to rate his chances, he said: “I don’t look that far. I hope to do well.”
It was also a moment of reckoning for Daren when he finally subdued Japan’s Sho Sasaki after five long years.
Daren’s 21-17, 21-14 win was his first over the Japanese in four attempts.
“I spent some time analysing Sasaki’s match and today I was faster and quicker at the front court,” said Daren, who will unfortunately meet Chong Wei next.
Top seed Chong Wei made short work of Boonsak Ponsana – winning 21-11, 21-16 in 33 minutes.
“I am quite satisfied with my game today. It was just another ordinary day at work for me,” said Chong Wei, who, a day earlier had broken the hearts of home fans with a 21-8, 21-18 win over Viktor Axelsen in the opening round.
It was also a good day for Malaysia in the doubles department.
Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, however, marched into the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles and mixed doubles in contrasting fashions.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong did not have to break sweat after being given a walkover by Denmark’s Jonas Rasmussen-Joachim Fischer Nielsen following an injury to Nielsen.
Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong failed to make the last eight after going down fighting 21-19, 13-21, 17-21 to Japan’s Hiroyuki Endo-Kenichi Hayakawa.
Reigning Japan Open champions Peng Soon-Liu Ying struggled for one hour and three minutes to beat the unheralded Danish pairing of Anders Kristiansen-Julia Houmann 19-21, 22-20, 21-14 and set up a meeting with Indonesia’s Mohd Rijal-Debby Susanto.
Courtesy of The Star
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