Malaysia Open: Lee Cheuk-yiu sends former flatmate Loh Kean Yew packing, with world No 1 Viktor Axelsen up next
- Hong Kong’s Lee faces an even sterner test after win over Singapore’s world champion Loh, with whom he shared a flat at Dubai training camp
- New men’s coach Wong Tat Meng has an instant impact, with team optimistic of an upset on Thursday – ‘anything is possible’
Lee Cheuk-yiu provided a big shock after beating former flatmate and reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew in the Malaysia Open on Tuesday.
But the Hong Kong badminton No 2 will now face an even sterner test when he takes on world No 1 Viktor Axelsen in Thursday’s second-round encounter.
The 25-year-old Lee and Singapore’s Loh shared a flat during a training camp in Dubai last month, but went toe-to-toe at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
Lee fell behind 10-5 in the first set, but he fought back to win six points in a row and take the lead, before edging it 21-19 over world No 9 Loh.
The world No 15 led throughout the second set and took it comfortably by a score of 21-12, with the match lasting less than 40 minutes.
“Our new men’s coach Wong Tat Meng played an important role, whether it was with his analysis before the game or his courtside advice – it helps the player deliver their best and take the momentum,” Hong Kong head coach Tim He Yiming said.