National champion Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Goh Soon Huat and Chong Yee Han successfully advanced to the first round of the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open after defeating two opponents each in the qualifying round at the Malawati Stadium yesterday.
Iskandar Zainuddin, who defeated Chong Yee Han in the 2015 National Circuit Grand Prix, recovered from a heel injury to bring down Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia 21-16, 18-21, 21-10 in the first match and Alistair Casey of Scotland 21-7, 21-14 in the second match.
Goh Soon Huat managed to win his first match against local counterpart Zulhelmi Zulkiffli 21-8, 21-18 and his second match against teammate Lim Chi Wing 21-16, 21-11.
Chong Yee Han overcame former All England champion Hafiz Hashim 21-14, 21-17 before sealing his place in the first round after defeating Japan’s Kenichi Tago 16-21, 21-10, 21-19.
Chong Wei Feng, who recently announced that he will be leaving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in May, lost 21-7, 7-21, 17-21 to Kenichi Tago of Japan. In another qualifying match, Zulfadli Zulkiffli’s dream of winning of the 2016 Malaysia Open title came crashing down as he suffered 10-21, 25-27 loss to Indonesia’s Christie Jonathan.
Iskandar, Goh and Chong will face Ginting Anthony, Lin Dan and Son Wan-ho respectively in the first round match at the Malawati Stadium today. World No. 3 Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who qualified to the first round through merit, will face Takuma Ueda of Japan.
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