Kisona Checks Into Quarter-Finals In Thailand

Kisona Checks Into Quarter-Finals In Thailand - Women’s singles shuttler S. Kisona (pic) rose to the occasion to power into the quarter-finals of the Smiling Fish International Challenge in Trang, Thailand.

The 18-year-old Kisona overcame early jitters to stun third seed and world No. 69 Sung Shuo-yun of Taiwan 19-21, 21-13, 21-13 in the second round yesterday.

It is an excellent result for the world No. 379, who is only competing in her second tournament of the year.

The Seremban teenager, who takes on world No. 130 Asuka Takahashi of Japan in the quarter-finals, wasn’t too pleased with her performance, though.

“It’s a good win, but I’m not very satisfied with my performance because I made too many simple mistakes,” said Kisona.

“I’m hoping to go further in the competition, but it will be tricky because I don’t know anything about my next opponent ... I’ve never played against her before.”

It was the end of the road for three others – Lim Yin Fun, M. Thinaah and Yap Yee – in the second round.

In women’s doubles, Tee Jing Yi-Soong Fie Cho made an impressive debut as they stunned top seeds Ayako Sakuramoto-Yukiko Takahata of Japan in the second round.

The unranked Jing Yi-Fie Cho won 21-18, 21-18 to set up a quarter-final clash against another Japanese pair – Misato Aratama-Akane Watanabe.

“It’s our first tournament together and our partnership is pretty good so far. We always discuss our game plans before matches,” said two-time Olympian Jing Yi, who switched from singles earlier this year.

“To get into the quarter-finals is definitely a good start for us, but we still need to focus on our next opponents ... the Japanese are always tough to play against.”

National juniors Pearly Tan-Toh Ee Wei also showcased their potential after beating Japan’s Miku Shigeta-Haruka Yonemoto 21-14, 21-23, 21-15 in the women’s doubles.

Pearly-Ee Wei, who came through the qualifiers, will meet sixth seeds Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida, also of Japan in the last eight.

Malaysia’s challenge in men’s singles was reduced to just one after two-time national champion Lim Chi Wing and Cheam June Wei lost their third-round matches.

World No. 164 Soo Teck Zhi survived a marathon match against 16th seed Andre Marteen of India, prevailing 19-21, 21-14, 22-20.

Teck Zhi will meet Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in the last eight.