Chong Wei Feng ends journey at Singapore Open

Former national player Chong Wei Feng ended his journey as early as the first round at the Singapore Open badminton tournament, here today.

He lost to eighth seeded Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand 21-18, 21-18 in the men's singles in a 44-minute match.

The scratch pair Mohamad Arif Latif/Rusydina Antardayu Riodingin (MAS/INA) also failed to advance to the main draw of the mixed doubles.

The pair lost to seventh seeded Praveen Jordan/Debby Susanto of Indonesia 21-15, 22-20 in just 28 minutes.

Meanwhile, it took Anggia Shitta Awanda-Ni Ketut Mahadewi Istarani of Indonesia 71 minutes to overcome Malaysian pair Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean in the women's doubles.

The Malaysian fought tooth and nail before bowing out in 21-19, 14-21, 22-20.

Another pair Lim Yin Loo/Yap Cheng Wen had to accept defeat at the hands of India's Ashwini Ponnappa/Reddy N. Sikki 21-19, 21-19 in 42 minutes.

It was also the end of the road for defending champions Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Ratchanok Intanon in the men's and women's singles respectively.

Indonesian Sony lost to Lee Dong Keun from South Korea in 19-21, 21-15, 21-18 while former world champion, Ratchanok of Thailand succumbed to Sayaka Sato from Japan 21-8, 21-18.

The Singapore Open is being held for six days from April 11 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. It offers total prize money of US$350,000 (US$1=RM4.431).

There will be six more games today involving Malaysian players in the first round matches later today. -- Bernama