KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong were crushed by unknown Russian pair Vladimir Ivanov/Ivan Sozonov 18-21, 18-21 in the China Open today.

Fifth seeded Koo and Tan were sent packing in Shanghai by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) 14th-ranked pair in 37 minutes.

Compatriots Hoon Thien How/Tan Wee Kiong will get to avenge their teammates’ loss as they play the Russians in the quarterfinal tomorrow. Hoon and Tan defeated Ko Sung Hyun/Shin Baek Choel of South Korea 17-21, 21-17, 21-18.

Mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying also made it to the quarterfinal after a battle against Michael Fuchs/Birgit Michels of Germany. The fifth seeds won 22-20, 30-28.

In the men’s singles, Chong Wei Feng and Liew Daren endured stiff competition before advancing into the last 16. Chong overcame 21-year-old Tian Houwei of China 14-21, 21-13, 21-16 while Liew outlasted Takuma Ueda of Japan 14-21, 21-17, 24-22.

Waiting for them in the quarterfinals would be formidable opponents in Sony Dwi Kuncoro (Indonesia) and top seed Chen Long of China respectively. — Bernama