KUALA LUMPUR: Javen Choong and Karen Lyne Dick got off to a great start today by upsetting Australia's China-born favourites Yan Xin and Jian Fang Lay in the table tennis mixed pair event first round at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The Malaysian pair, who lost in the third round at the 2018 Gold Coast Games, won 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6.
In the second round, Javen-Karen defeated South African pair Nathoo Chetan-Danisha Jayavant 11-4, 11-8, 11-7.
The 20-year-old Karen said the win over Yan Xin-Fang Lay was a morale booster and a good start.
"Our confidence has improved since we won the women's team silver and we hope to continue our good run in the mixed pair event," said Karen.
Malaysia's mixed pair of Wong Qi Shen and Tee Ai Xin were also in smashing form as they stunned India's Sanil Shetty and Reeth Tennison 11-6, 12-10, 11-13, 8-11, 11-8 in the first round.
Leong Chee Feng-Ho Ying also advanced to the second round with a 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 win over Guyana's Jonathan Lange-Thuraia Thomas.
In women's doubles, Ho Ying-Karen defeated Cynthia Kwabi-Milicent Ankude of Ghana 11-5, 11-5, 11-7.
In men's doubles, Javen-Qi Shen lost 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 18-20 to Northern Ireland's Zak Wilson-Paul McCreery.
In para table tennis Gracia Wong lost to Faith Obazuaye of Nigeria 7-11, 8-11, 9-11 in the women's singles while Chao Ming Chee lost his opening men's singles.
