SINGAPORE: Indonesian qualifier Sony Dwi Kuncoro and South Korea's Son Wan Ho survived the second round of the Singapore Open after recording hard-fought victories over their opponents today.
Sony, who came through the qualifying rounds, defeated Japanese Sho Sasaki 11-21, 21-14, 21-4. Much was expected from Wan Ho who had the previous day stunned fifth seeded Dane Jan O Jorgensen.
The 28-year-old Wan Ho, meanwhile, overcame an early setback and bounced back to claim his place in the quarterfinals after beating fourth-seeded Viktor Axelsen 14-21, 21-12, 21-7.
For their tremendous efforts today, Sony and Wan Ho will face Chinese opponents, Wang Zhengming and Tian Houwei, the sixth seed, in the quarterfinals.
As expected, world No. 1 Chen Long and five-time world champion, Lin Dan both advanced to the quarterfinals. Chen Long laboured past Thai Boonsak Ponsana 17-21, 21-18, 21-9 while Lin Dan downed Indonesia's rising singles star, Christie Jonatan, who made it to the semifinals in Malaysia last week.
In the men's doubles Gideon Markus Fernaldi and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamulo shocked seventh seeds, Ko Sung Hyun and Shin Baek Cheol, 21-19, 16-21, 21-14.
But topseeds, Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong from South Korea, did not have much trouble disposing Malaysian pair, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong 21-14, 21-13.
Another leading men's doubles partnership to advance today was Fu Haifeng-Zhang Nan, the fourth seeds, when they beat Chinese Taipei's Liao Kuan Hao-Lu Chia Pin.
In the women's singles, newly crowned Malaysia Open Superseries Premier winner, Ratchanok Inthanon, made the quarterfinal cut after moving past Hsu Ya Ching from Chinese Taipei 21-19, 21-17.
There were some surprises though as China's Sun Yu knocked out All England champ Nozomi Okuhara, the No.2 seed, 21-16, 21-11. China's Wan Yihan was also shown the exit by Thailand's Porntip Buranaprasertsuk 9-21, 24-22, 21-17.
For the full results, please click on https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/matches.aspx?id=9711F8AD-3CF5-4664-8D85-373DB957B215&d=20160414
