Iskandar moves into quarterfinals of China Open

In the absence of defending champion and world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei, upcoming shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin kept Malaysian hopes alive after marching into the quarterfinals of the China Open Premier Super Series, here today.

According to the bwfworldsuperseries.com website, Iskandar who lost the first game, fought back to win his second round match against China's Guo Kai 7-21, 21-6, 23-21 at the Haixia Olympic Sports Complex in Fuzhou.

Iskandar will face another player from the host country - Qiao Bin, the world number four - who beat India's H.S. Prannoy 21-17, 21-19 to book his berth.

The splendid display by Iskandar drew praise from Chong Wei who had to withdraw from the China Open due to an injury suffered recently.

"He has the potential to excel and become a very competitive player in two years. It might be a little late for the 26-year-old but I believe he still has the quality to carve a name for himself at the top level.

"I feel Iskandar need to work on his attacking technique because he uses a lot of power and energy in matches but lack in the aspect of attacking play," he said when met at the National Sports Council complex in Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, here.

Chong Wei said Iskandar had gained valuable experience by competing in various Super Series tournaments and therefore should not be carried away after making it to the quarterfinals in the China Open Premier Super Series today.

"His performance has certainly improved but he must continue to stay focused and not be contended with one successful outing," he said.

Chong Wei who has also pulled out from the Hong Kong Open scheduled from Nov 22 to 27 said though many players had decided to take a break after the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, he had continued to compete and train before suffering a hamstring injury that forced him out of the French Open.

"My focus now is the Super Series Final in Dubai from Dec 14 to 18. However, it will depend on the Destination Dubai Ranking list. If I remain in the top five, I will compete in Dubai.

"I have started training but will have to wait and see," said Chong Wei who is set to lose his ranking as the world number one.

Meanwhile, the country's number one mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying failed to continue their campaign in the China Open after going down 17-21, 19-21 to Zhang Nan/Li Yinhui from China.

Following in their foot path were women's doubles pair Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei who were shown the exit by South Korea's Jung Kyung Eun/Shin Seung Chann who won 21-23, 21-14, 21-13. -- BERNAMA