KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Games semi-finalist Jacky Kok got his Vietnam Open campaign off to a flying start by reaching the second round of the Super 100 event in Ho Chi Minh City today.
The 20-year-old Kedahan defeated India's Naren Shankar Iyer 21-10, 21-16 in the first round to set-up a clash against another Indian shuttler, world No 74 Meiraba Luwang Maisnam.
Fast-rising Meiraba will definitely be a handful for Jacky, especially following his recent exploits in landing the Maharashtra International Challenge title last week.
Also reaching the second round was former national shuttler Cheam June Wei, who dispatched India's Abhyansh Singh 21-19, 21-14.
June Wei, who benefited from a short training stint with Denmark's Viktor Axelsen in Dubai, will take on Malaysia Games silver medallist Leong Jun Hao next.
Jun Hao, the 2017 Asia junior champion, received a first-round bye.
Meanwhile, Lim Chong King, once touted as the next Malaysian men's singles star, suffered another early exit when he lost to national junior Ong Ken Yon 30-28, 21-13.
Chong King, 22, also suffered a shocking first-round exit at the Malaysia Games last week.
Ken Yon will play India's Farogh Sanjay Aman next for a place in the third round.