Contrasting wins for Chong Wei, Pi
News 5:34 PM
Lee Chong Wei cruised into the third round while Pi Hongyan, the women’s top seed, was pushed all the way before scoring a three-game win to book her place in the second round of the YONEX-SUNRISE Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold tournament in Johor Bahru.
Playing at the same venue where he bagged his second consecutive World Super Series Masters Finals title last December, Chong Wei showed no ill effects of playing two matches with an emphatic 21-16, 21-14 win over compatriot Liew Darren in the second round.Earlier in the morning, Chong Wei beat England’s Arakj Bhokanandh 21-8, 21-10 to begin his defense of the title he won at the same venue last year. 
“Liew Darren played very well but Chong Wei was always several steps ahead of him and that made the difference,” said Chong Wei’s coach Misbun Sidek.
“As long as Chong Wei stays free of injuries, he is on track to defending his title.”
Chong Wei, the top seed, is expected to take on Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat in Sunday’s final.
The Indonesian kicked off his campaign with a 21-15, 21-18 win over Malaysia Mohd Azriyn Ayub in the morning session and followed up with a another straight games win over Yeok Kay Bin (Malaysia). Taufik won 21-9, 21-18 and will have to face another Malaysian in the third round – Tan Chun Seang.
In the women’s singles, Pi Hongyan, celebrated her return to competitive badminton with a hard fought 12-21, 21-16, 21-17 win over Hong Kong’s Tse Ying Suet.
Hongyan, bronze medallist at last year’s World Championships, was in all sorts of trouble but showed great composure and mental strength to claw her way back into the game.
“This is my first major tournament after the European Championships in April and I took some time to adapt to the draft and competition atmosphere,” said Hongyan.
“I need lots of matches in order to prepare for the World Championships and I hope to go all the way to the final here so that I can get some matches behind me.
“I had a knee injury and that prevented me from training but it is good to come out and compete again. It will take some time to get back to my normal game but I am confident it can be done.”
Hongyan will take on Singapore’s Xing Aiying in the second round on Thursday after the Singaporean beat World Junior champion Ratchanok Inthanon of Thailand 10-21, 21-19, 21-19.
Malaysia’s Wong Mew Choo also continued her progress in the tournament with a 21-8, 21-13 win over Singapore’s Cen Jiayun and will play Hong Kong’s Chan Tsz Ka in the second round.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 5:34 PM.
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