A damper in Tokyo

V-Shem-Wee Kiong crash out of Japan Open second round

Shuttlers Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong’s euphoria over their Olympic success came to a crushing end at the Japan Open.

The Rio Games silver medallists were out of sorts and went down 21-23, 12-21 to unseeded China’s Huang Kaixiang-Wang Yilyu in 36 minutes in the men’s doubles second round in Tokyo yesterday.

It was the first tournament for fifth seeds V Shem-Wee Kiong since their success at the Olympics last month. Now, national coach Jeremy Gan wants the duo to find ways to bounce back at the Korean Open in Seoul from Sept 27-Oct 3.

“V Shem and Wee Kiong lost their focus against the young Chinese pair. But it’s all right. I hope they will recover their form for a better showing at the Korean Open,” said Jeremy.

Unlike V Shem-Wee Kiong, the other Malaysian Olympic silver medallists enjoyed a smooth ride to the quarter-finals.

World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei continued to show unwavering focus as he disposed of qualifier Qiao Bin of China 21-8, 21-16 in 39 minutes in the men’s singles. He next faces Shi Yuqi, another qualifier from China – for a place in the last four.

The 33-year-old Chong Wei is aiming to win the Japan Open for the sixth time, having been triumphant in 2007, 2010 and from 20122014.

Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying also stayed steady, carving out a sensational 21-12, 21-19 win over Holland’s Jacco Arends-Selena Piek in just 31 minutes in the mixed doubles.

They have a challenging clash with South Koreans Kim Gi-jung- Shin Seung-chan in today’s quarter-finals.

Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei almost bit the dust in the women’s doubles. Luckily, they held their nerves in the decider to beat Japanese Miki Kashihara-Miyuki Kato 19-21, 21-16, 21-17 in the second round.

The Malaysians will next meet Denmark’s Kamilla Rytter JuhlChristinna Pedersen, a pair whom they have never beaten in four previous clashes.