Iskandar, Liew Daren move into second round of China Masters

National champion Iskandar Zulkarnain and Liew Daren moved into the second round of the China Masters held at the Changzhou Olympics Centre, in Changzhou, China today.

Iskandar, 24, the 2015 National men's singles champion, took 31 minutes to overcome Koki Watanabe from Japan 21-15, 21-16 in straight sets to set up a date with China's rising star Zhu Siyuan who had earlier beaten Thailand's Kandis Wanaroon 21-10, 21-7.

Liew Daren, seeded 16th in the tournament, beat Taiwan's Wang Tzu Wei 21-17, 21-17 to face Ye Binghong from China in the second round.

Former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Muhammad Arif Abdul Latif withdrew from the tournament while Soo Teck Zhi, Soong Joo Ven, Goh Soon Huat and Goh Giap Chin were shown the exit in the first round.

Malaysia's mixed doubles pair Tan Chee Tean/Chow Mei Kuan also moved into the main draw after beating Han Chengkai/Ni Bowen 21-17, 18-21, 21-13 but face a tough hurdle after drawing South Korea's Kim Gi Jung/Shin Seung Chan.