Malaysian Open: Chong Wei Safely Through

JOHOR BAHARU, June 24 Datuk Lee Chong Wei is safely through to the last sixteen of the Malaysian Open Grand Prix without having to raise a sweat.

The tournament's No 1 seed took care of teamate Lim Fang Yang 21-9,21-14 in their second round match at the Indoor stadium here Wednesday night to book his ticket into the last 16 where he will play China's Zhou Wenlong Thursday.

Chong Wei, the man the crowd had come to watch, will now be overwhelming favourite to lift the title after the exit of the No 2 seed, Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat in the opening round, losing to China's former world junior champion, Chen Long in three games in their opening round clash.

"I know I had two easy games today but even then I am still very much focussed on my games. I want to put up a good show here and not let the fans down.

"It will be interesting against Wenlong tomorrow. I have never played him before. But I don't think it should be a problem," said Chong Wei who had beaten Singapore's Derek Wong 21-12,21-11 in the opening round.

Also through is Chen Long, who beat Malaysia's Pei Wei Chung in their second round clash in scores of 21-10,21-10 for a clash against India's Arvind Bhat, the No 9 in the last sixteen.

But the gallant run of National Junior champion Iskandar Zulkarnian Zainuddin ended after he was beaten by India's Ajay Jayaram 13-21,20-22 in their clash last night. Iskandar had earlier toppled the No 3 seed, India's Chetan Anand in the opening match in the morning.

The Indian flag was kept flying with their pride and joy, Sania Nehwal who captured the Indonesian Open women's singles crown last week, beating Thailand's B.Porntip 21-18,22-20 to book her ticket into the last sixteen.

Wong Mew Choo, seeded No 4 also came through with a 21-7,21-11 win over Canada's Charmaine Reed last night. So did the top seed Pi Hongyan of France with a 21-15,21-19 win over Singapore's Zhang Beiwen Tuesday night.