Yesterday, the 25-year-old stunned crafty world No. 15 Hu Yun of Hong Kong 21-18, 21-19 in the second round to march into the quarter-finals of the French Open in Paris.
It was his first win in four meetings against Hu Yun. The Malaysian had bowed out tamely when their met at last year’s Denmark Open.
Daren will take on the Japan’s hard-working Sho Sasaki, a player he had just defeated for the first time in the second round of the Denmark Open in Odense last week.
His stunning win in Denmark saw him move five rungs up to 24th in the world – a career high.
Daren is the sole Malaysian men’s singles survivor after the exits of Chong Wei Feng and Tan Chun Seang. It shows that he can be counted on in the absence of world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei.
Daren was elated with his latest win.
“I am thrilled with my first win over Hu Yun. I got the better of him because of my correct tactical move,” said Daren.
“I attribute my better overall performances in these two Europe tournaments to my improved speed.
“I have an even chance against Sasaki, having beaten him last week. Still, I’ll be wary as he will surely want to bounce back.”
Malaysia enjoyed a good day in the men’s doubles when Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boong Heong and Tan Wee Kiong-Hoon Thien How made it to the quarter-finals in convincing styles.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong downed England’s Chris Adcock-Andrew Ellis 21-16, 21-17 to set up a re-match against South Koreans Lee Yong-dae-Ko Sung-hyun.
The Malaysians defeated the Koreans in the opening round en route to their runner-up finish in Denmark.
Wee Kiong-Thien How justified their status as the country most improved pair when they ended the hot run of Indonesia’s old and young partnership of Hendra Gunawan-Mohd Ahsan with a 21-16, 21-17 win in 33 minutes.
Just a day earlier, Hendra-Ahsan stunned top seeds Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark 21-16, 21-17.
Today, world No. 20 Wee Kiong-Thien How will seek to maintain their consistent run with a win over China’s Hong Wei-Shen Ye.
Courtesy of The Star
No comments:
Post a Comment