KUALA LUMPUR: Independent shuttler Cheam June Wei reached the third round of the Kaohsiung Masters in Taiwan today after defeating homester Liao Jhuo Fu at the K-Arena today.
The sixth seeded Malaysian won a tight first set 22-20 before taking the next 21-13 in 44 minutes.
June Wei, who was a member of the Thomas Cup squad recently, will play Singapore's Joel Koh in the last 32.
National singles player Justin Hoh also advanced by dispatching another home player, Huang Yu, 21-19, 21-10. Malaysia's Ong Zhen Yi defeated Taiwan's Kuo Kuan Lin 21-19, 21-19.
In the women's singles, independent player S. Kisona fell to Taiwan's third seed Pai Yu Po 21-18, 21-11.
The men's doubles second round tomorrow will see an all-Malaysian clash between independents Boon Xin Yuan-Goh V Shem and Low Han Yee-Ng Eng Cheong after the two pairs won today.
Xin Yuan-V Shem ousted Thai pair Pharanyu Kaosamaang-Tanadon Punpanich 21-15, 12-21, 21-16 while Han Yee-Eng Cheong beat Indonesians Muhammad Al Farizi-Nikolaus Joaquin 21-17, 21-12.
In the women's doubles, young Malaysian pair Ho Lo Ee-Tan Zhing Yi, who went through qualifying to get into the main draw, continued their fine run by defeating Taiwan's Yan Fei Chen-Liang Ching Sun 21-18, 13-21, 21-17.
Compatriots Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing will join them after sending home Lin Yu Hao-Wang Yu Qiao 21-9, 21-13.
Lim Chiew Sien, who finished second in the women's doubles last week at the Australian Open with Lai Pei Jing, is competing in the mixed doubles in Taiwan with Wong Tien Ci. They defeated Ting Yen-chen-Wang Yi Zhen 21-15, 21-14.
