LEE Chong Wei survived a minor scare yesterday before advancing to the quarter-finals of the Macau Open alongside compatriots Wong Choong Hann and Kuan Beng Hong.

Chong Wei, the top seed, saved three game points in the first game before subduing Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand 22-20, 21-14 in a 29-minute third-round encounter.

Choong Hann was also stretched before overcoming Hong Kong veteran Ng Wei 16-21, 21-9, 21-11 in 52 minutes to set-up a quarter-final clash against compatriot Beng Hong today.

Beng Hong's 22-20, 21-13 win over Vietnam's Nguyen Tien Minh was timely as he was in danger of being dropped from the national squad. He will be hoping for another success when he takes on Choong Hann.

Meanwhile, Chong Wei had to play catch-up all the way in the first game and trailed 17-20 before he turned the tide against Tanongsak.
Chong Wei reeled off five points in a row to win 22-20 and, when he took a 14-8 lead in the second game, the outcome was beyond doubt.

The Malaysian World No 1 will next meet Chen Hong of China, who beat Liew Daren 21-17, 21-19, in the quarter-finals.

In the women's singles, top seed Wong Mew Choo was shown the exit following a 22-20, 21-15 loss to China's Zhu Jingjing in the second round.

However, Julia Wong saved the day for Malaysia when she beat Hung Shih Han of Taiwan 21-17, 21-14 but faces a tough match against second seed Wang Lin of China next.

Defending champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were on track to clinch their first title this year when they beat junior compatriots Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Seang 21-12, 21-18 in 22 minutes to make the last eight.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who have had a horrendous run since winning the Denmark Open 11 months ago, next play China's junior pair Chai Biao-Liu Xiaolong today.

Former national pair Chen Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng also advanced beating compatriots Hong Chien Hun-Ng Kean Kok 21-11, 21-16. They next play Sun Junjie-Xu Chen of China.

Back-up pair Ong Jian Guo-Goh Wei Shem thrashed the Macau-Austrian combination of Ng Chon Man-Clemens Smola 21-6, 21-4 in just 12 minutes to reach the last eight. They will take on second seeds Fang Chieh Man-Lee Sheng Mu today.


Results -- (Malaysia unless stated):

Men's Singles 3rd Rd: Lee Chong Wei bt Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (Tha) 22-20, 21-14; Taufik Hidayat (Ina) bt Wen Kai (Chn) 15-21, 21-11, 21-9; Almsyah Yunus (Ina) bt Arif Latif 21-16, 21-12; Wong Choong Hann bt Ng Wei (HK) 16-21, 21-9, 21-11; Chan Yan Kit (HK) bt Chong Wei Feng 21-13, 23-21; Kuan Beng Hong bt Nguyen Tien Minh (Vie) 22-20, 21-13; Chen Hong (Chn) bt Liew Daren 21-17, 21-19.

Doubles 2nd Rd: Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng bt Hong Chien Hun-Ng Kean Kok Hung Shi Han (Tai) 21-11, 21-16; Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong bt Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Seang 21-12, 21-18; Ong Jian Guo-Goh Wei Shem bt Ng Chon Man (Mac)-Clarens Smola (Aut) 21-6, 21-4; Fernando Kurniawan-Lingga Lie (Ina) bt Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah 21-19, 13-21, 21-18.

Women's Singles 2nd Rd: Zhu Jingjing (Chn) bt Wong Mew Choo 22-20, 21-15; Julia Wong bt Hung Shih Han (Tai) 21-17, 21-14.

Doubles 2nd Rd: Shinta Mulia Sari-Yao Lei (Sin) bt Lim Yin Loo-Ng Poau Leng 21-15, 21-14; Nicole Grether (Ger)-Charmaine Read (Can) bt Vivian Hoo-Sanatasha Saniru 21-14, 21-14; Fong Chew Yen-Mooi Hing Yau bt Amelia Anscelly-Ooi Yu Hang 21-12, 21-15; Ng Hui Lin-Woon Khe Wei bt Chiang Kai Hsin-Tien Ching Yung (Tai) 21-10, 21-7.

Mixed Doubles 2nd Rd: Mak Hee Chun-Vivian Hoo bt Chan Peng Soon-Amelia Anscelly 19-21, 21-18, 22-20; Lim Khim Wah-Woon Khe Wei bt Teo Kok Siang-Sanatasha Saniru 19-21, 21-19, 22-20; Johan Hadi Kusuma-Chau Hoi Wah (HK) bt Koo Kien Keat-Ng Hui Lin 21-15, 21-18; Chayut Triyachart-Yao Lei (Tha) bt Lutfi Zaim Khalid-Lim Yin Loo 22-20, 21-12.