ONG Beng Hee diced with danger before joining Azlan Iskandar in the British Open second round in Liverpool on Thursday.

World No 10 Beng Hee recovered from two games down to eke out a 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 win over Pakistan's Farhan Mehboob while the 13th-ranked Azlan cruised past Australia's Wade Johnstone 11-4, 11-5, 11-5.

National No 1 Beng Hee found himself two points away from defeat with the score tied 8-8 in the third game but reeled off two winners to keep the match alive.

"I just needed to wake up mentally, I went 2-0 down so quickly. In the first two games, he (Farhan) was attacking with no fear and hitting some great shots. When you play someone who has no pressure, who is fresh and hungry, it's never going to be easy," Beng Hee told the tournament's official website after an 85-minute marathon.

Beng Hee was due to play fourth seed James Willstrop of England in a late match yesterday as he sought to make his sixth British Open quarter-final appearance.
"If I can take James to five (sets) I would be pleased. I've reached a few British Open quarter-finals but this would be the toughest I've faced yet to get there (the last eight)." added Beng Hee, who won the Kuala Lumpur Open in March for his only title this year so far.

In contrast to Beng Hee, Azlan needed only 29 minutes to see off the challenge of Johnstone and set up a second round clash with second seed and World No 4 Ramy Ashour, also being played late yesterday.

National No 3 Nafiizwan Adnan's gallant run through qualifying ended with a 11-3, 11-5, 11-6 defeat to two-time former world champion David Palmer of Australia in the first round.

World No 5 Palmer complimented the 22-year-old Nafiizwan on his display and believes the 70th-ranked Malaysian can go far.

"He is a strong and dedicated player and his move to the UK proves that he is really serious about it. I'm sure he'll have some excellent results," said the Australian.

Women's World No 1 Nicol David was also in action late yesterday as she was down to take on qualifier Madeline Perry of Ireland.