Badminton

Bad day for Malaysia's independents at French Open

KUALA LUMPUR: The first day of the French Open did not go well for several of Malaysia's independent shuttlers.

Ousted in the first round today were two-time former world junior champion, Goh Jin Wei, former World Championships bronze medallists Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and mixed doubles Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.

Jin Wei, who is trying to find her way back from a stomach ailment, lost 21-13, 22-20 to China's Zhang Yi Man in the women's singles.

In the mixed doubles, Kian Meng-Pei Jing suffered another early exit, their 17th (including second rounds) on the World Tour circuit this season, when they succumbed 18-21, 23-21, 21-17 to Indonesia's Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati. The Indonesians will face Denmark's Mathias Thyrri-Amalie Magelund next.

The Danes, had earlier pulled off the biggest upset of the day when they dumped reigning world champions Seo Seung Jae-Chae Yu Jung of South Korea out of the competition, following a 19-21, 21-19, 21-11 win.

In the men's doubles, Yew Sin-Ee Yi lost narrowly 22-20, 21-19 to South Korea's Jin Yong-Na Sung Seung.

Women's doubles duo, Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien were the only independents to reach the second round. Their 21-19, 21-19 victory, however, came at the expense of another Malaysian pair, Anna Cheong-Teoh Mei Xing.

In the absences of defending champions Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah, Vivian-Chiew Sien will be Malaysia's sole representatives in the women's doubles. But they face a tall order next, as they are up against seventh seeds, Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti of Indonesia.

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