Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia competes during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between South Korea and Malaysia at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
HANGZHOU, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Jeon Hyeok-jin stunned Lee Zii Jia on Thursday as South Korea outclassed Malaysia 3-1 to cruise into the quarterfinals of men's team badminton event at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Jeon took the first game before Lee pulled it back with an identical score, but in-form Jeon eventually triumphed 21-14, 14-21, 21-18.
It became the biggest upset on the opening day of badminton, as former Asian champion Lee who currently ranked 16th in the world, had never lost to Jeon until this one.
Aaron Chia Teng Fong and Soh Wooi Yik won the doubles clash for Malaysia but could not change their fate.
After the win, South Korea will contend for a semifinal spot against Indonesia, who enjoyed a first-round bye.
Nishimoto Kenta bounced back from one game down to beat world champion Loh Kean Yew 17-21, 21-14, 21-9, leading Japan to whitewash Singapore to reach the last eight.
Singapore's youngster Teh Jia Heng played a tense point-for-point match when his team was downed 2-0, but still lost to Tsuneyama Kanta 21-16, 26-24.
"There's a little bit of pressure because if I lose, Singapore loses as well," said Teh. "I gave my 100 percent on the court, but my opponent did play better and his level was higher than mine."
Hong Kong, China advanced to the next round after besting Thailand 3-2 in a grueling five-hour match. Chinese Taipei smashed Maldives 3-0, while Nepal had a 3-1 win over Mongolia.
On the women's side, Chinese Taipei crushed Hong Kong, China 3-0 as star player Tai Tzu-ying hammered Lo Sin Yan Happy in straight games before Lee Chia-Hsin and Teng Chun-Hsun took the match point by beating Yeung Nga Ting and Yeung Pui Lam 23-21, 21-18 in a 69-minute thriller.
Hsu Wen-chi then defeated Mehta Saloni Samirbhai to secure the quarterfinal berth for Chinese Taipei.
Also on Thursday, India thrashed Mongolia 3-0 and will take on Thailand in the next round. Maldives also eased to a 3-1 win over Nepal.
Starting from Thursday, seven gold medals will be determined in the 10-day badminton competition at the Hangzhou Asian Games. ■
Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia celebrates scoring during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between South Korea and Malaysia at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia competes during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between South Korea and Malaysia at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Lee Zii Jia (top) of Malaysia reacts during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between South Korea and Malaysia at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Jeon Hyeokjin of South Korea competes during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between South Korea and Malaysia at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand competes during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand competes during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Lui Chun Wai (R)/Yeung Shing Choi of China's Hong Kong celebrate after the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Lui Chun Wai (L)/Yeung Shing Choi of China's Hong Kong competes during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Ng Ka Long Angus of China's Hong Kong competes during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Lui Chun Wai (L)/Yeung Shing Choi of China's Hong Kong celebrate scoring during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Ng Ka Long Angus (L) of China's Hong Kong communicates with the referee during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Ng Ka Long Angus of China's Hong Kong reacts during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Loh Kean Yew of Singapore reacts during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Singapore and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Loh Kean Yew of Singapore reacts during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Singapore and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Ng Ka Long Angus of China's Hong Kong reacts during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Ng Ka Long Angus of China's Hong Kong reacts during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Loh Kean Yew of Singapore reacts during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Singapore and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Ng Ka Long Angus of China's Hong Kong reacts during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Thailand and China's Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Loh Kean Yew of Singapore reacts during the Men's Team Round of 16 of Badminton between Singapore and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
