Choong Hann struggles for win, Peng Soon-Liu Ying crash out

Posted by Lucas Liau Latest News, Top News 10:21 AM

IT was not an impressive day for Malaysia in the second day of action in the world championships at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium in Paris yesterday.
Veteran Wong Choong Hann played below par to scrape through for a win while the mixed doubles pair of Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, who are seen as the country’s future stars, went down in a whimper.
It was also a disappointing end for Lydia Cheah when she crashed out in an early round for the third time in a world series. Yesterday, she made a late charge from 5-16 in the opening game but it was not good enough to beat Juliane Schenk of Germany. She went down 16-21, 17-21.
The 33-year-old Choong Hann almost handed the French fans what they had been waiting for – to see their local star making a breakthrough. But Choong Hann huffed and puffed for a 21-18, 10-21, 21-17 win over Simon Maunoury.
The former Malaysian No. 1 will take on Japan’s Kazushi Yamada in the second round. And if does not raise the bar, he is set to be a victim to a Japanese player for a second time this year.

Choong Hann still remembers a painful defeat by Sho Sasaki in a Thomas Cup quarter-final tie in Kuala Lumpur in May.
The 2003 World Championships runner-up, however, brushed off the jittery start as a minor setback.
“It was my first match and I had to take some time to adjust. But, maybe, I am to blame for underestimating my opponent,” he said.
“It was the first time that I played against him and I was caught off guard. Some of his movements were unusual and I found it difficult to manage him. I feared for the worst when he won the second game. But fortunately, I kept my cool in the decider.
“I have not played against Yamada and I anticipate a tough match. He has pushed several other top players to the limit this year and I will be cautious.”
Choong Hann said that it was important to take his chances well, especially in the absence of Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia from his quarter.
“I have crashed out in the early rounds in every world championships since I played in the final seven years ago. I will give my best.”
It was a good day for another veteran, Peter Gade-Christensen of Denmark, who cruised into the second round with a 21-10, 21-7 over Brazilian Daniel Paiola. He should win his next match against Lithuanian Kestutis Navickas.
“I am happy with the way things are going on for me. But I would like to stay focused. I should be playing against South Korean Shon Wan-ho (in the third round) and he will be a tough nut to crack,” he said.
The other fancied players in the half of the draw, Chen Jin of China and Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana, also made it to the second round.
Meanwhile in the mixed doubles, Peng Soon-Liu Ying trooped out with their heads held low after running out of steam against India’s D. Viju-Jwala Gutta. They were beaten 19-21, 8-21.
The Asian championships winners had looked good for a timely boost ahead of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi when they took a 18-16 lead in the opening game but a drop in confidence saw them losing grip on the match.
The Indians will be one of the top contenders for the gold medal in the Games in October.
“Peng Soon and I did well at the start but they knew how to get us all worried at the crucial stage. I was unable to play my game. It is disappointing to lose in the second game without a fight,” said Liu Ying.
“We will learn from this defeat and come back stronger to challenge them at the Commonwealth Games.”