Badminton

Joo Ven smashes his way into Taiwan Open semi-finals

KUALA LUMPUR: Not even a lack of training in men's singles could stop independent shuttler Soong Joo Ven from producing results.

The world No 59 defeated India's world No 40 P. Kashyap 21-12, 12-21, 21-17 today to reach the Taiwan Open semi-finals.

It was the second time Joo Ven made it to this stage after the Korea Masters in April.

Apart from world No 5 Lee Zii Jia, no other Malaysian men's singles has more than two semi-final outings on the World Tour this season.

However, Joo Ven has a mountain to climb in the last four tomorrow as he will face home hero Chou Tien Chen, the world No 4 and three-time champion.

"Tien Chen is definitely the overwhelming favourite, but I will try to continue to defy the odds. Frankly, I didn't expect to come this far," said Joo Ven, who reached only one last 16 in six outings after his Korea Masters exploits.

"I have not been training fully in the men's singles because I also started playing in the mixed doubles with (Goh) Liu Ying.

"So, I train a few sessions here and there, it's not sufficient at all. I'm really pleased to get this far despite coming into this week without much expectations.

"But I feel there's a need to respond to my disappointing campaign at last week's Singapore Open. I didn't even clear the first qualifying round match."

The last Malaysian to reach the Taiwan Open men's singles final was Zii Jia in 2018. Then, he stunned Tien Chen en route to being crowned champion.

Tien Chen advanced after his compatriot Chen Chi Ting conceded the match due to injury when the score was 2-2 in the second game. Tien Chen had won the first game 21-13.

There was more joy from the men's doubles department as Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Boon Xin Yuan-Wong Tien Ci made it two Malaysian representatives in the last four.

Wei Chong-Kai Wun, seeking to add a second title to their Syed Modi International triumph in January, downed Taiwan's Liao Min Chun-Chun Hsien Yang 21-14, 21-19.

Playing in only their fourth World Tour tournament, professional duo Xin Yuan-Tien Ci continued their fairy tale run by beating Hong Kong's Reginald Lee-Law Cheuk Him 21-12, 11-21, 22-20.

Xin Yuan-Tien Ci, who are Serdang BC players, have two lower tier titles under their belts after winning the Uganda Open and Slovak Open.

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories