China's Chen Yufei celebrates after winning the women's singles round of 32 match against Japan's Okuhara Nozomi at Malaysia Open 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan 11, 2023. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)
Chinese shuttlers had a strong performance on Day 2 of the Malaysia Open 2023.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shuttlers staged a strong comeback on the second day of the Malaysia Open 2023 on Wednesday.
Reigning women's singles Olympic champion Chen Yufei crushed Japan's Okuhara Nozomi 21-9, 21-17 in a 34-minute match while Wang Zhiyi beat her compatriot Zhang Yiman 21-16, 21-10.
Men's singles player Zhao Junpeng bested his countryman Lu Guangzu 21-17, 21-16 while his compatriot Li Shifeng was beaten by Singapore's Loh Kean Yew 21-19, 23-21 at the Axiata Arena.
Malaysia's badminton world number two Lee Zii Jia lost in front of a vocal home crowd in a three-game marathon to Japan's Naraoka Kodai 21-13, 17-21, 19-21.
China's Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang (L) in action during their men's doubles round of 32 match against Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin at Malaysia Open 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
In men's doubles, the Chinese pair of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang outplayed local favorites Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 16-21, 21-11, 21-17, while Liu Yuchen/Ou Xuanyi of China scored a 21-19, 24-22 victory against Ben Lane/Sean Vendy of England.
In women's doubles, Zhang Shuxian/Zheng Yu of China came out on top against Japan's Fukushima Yuki/Hirota Sayaka 21-15, 19-21, 21-16, while Li Wenmei/Liu Xuanxuan steamrolled over Ng Tsz Yau/Tsang Hiu Yan 21-7, 21-11. Du Yue/Xia Yuting beat Lee So-hee/Shin Seung-chan of South Korea 21-19, 22-20.
The Malaysia Open will run from Jan. 10 to 15. ■
