KUALA LUMPUR: Spurred to do better because of the improved performance shown by the national junior players, Soong Joo Ven is determined to show that he too can perform in the Malaysian Masters, which he feels is the best platform to showcase his abilities.
The singles player proved just how determined he is when he pulled off a shocking win to confirm his place in the main draw of the tournament by beating experienced Indonesian, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, 21-19, 21-10, in the qualifying round at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil earlier today.
Before this, he received a walkover against another Indonesian, Fikri Ihsandi Hadmadi who was forced to withdraw in the second game due to injury. Joo Ven had already won the first game 21-10.
This is the second time the World No 66 ranked player has managed to advance past the qualifying round of the Super Series tournament, the first being the 2016 Malaysia Open.
“Sony is a far more experienced player though because of his age, his movement on court has somewhat slowed down. So I capitalised on this and attacked whenever the opportunity presented itself.
“This is only the second time I have qualified to the main draw of a Super Series tournament. So yes, I am indeed happy because I am bent on proving here at the Malaysian Masters that I too have improved, not just the junior players.
“I just need to continue playing well and to do so I must work very, very hard to ensure I am at the top of my game,” said Joo Ven when met after his match against Sony.
The 22-year-old player will next face Frenchman Brice Leverdez – the very player who defeated World No 2 Lee Chong Wei in the first round of the 2017 World Championships – in the first round of the tournament tomorrow.
“Brice is a difficult player to play against and I just hope that lady luck will be on my side instead of his/ I promise that I will be giving it my all and hope our fellow Malaysian will come out in full force to support the Malaysian players who will be on court tomorrow and for the rest of the tournament,” he said.
Other Malaysian players who have also advanced to the main draw are singles player Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin; women’s singles, Lim Yin Fun; men’s doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie-Cheah Yee See.