MEN’S doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah checked into the semi-finals with comprehensive victories on a day where Wong Choong Hann stunned China’s World No 3 Bao Chunlai in the Macau Open yesterday.

Struggling Kien Keat-Boon Heong, the second seeds, needed to produce a top class performance against World Championships runners-up Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae of South Korea and they achieved just that with a 21-13, 21-14 win in the quarter-finals.

Tan Fook-Wan Wah had earlier secured a berth in the last four after beating compatriots Khoo Chung Chiat-Razif Latif 21-11, 21-16.

Wong Choong Hann strengthened his claim for a place in the Beijing Olympics next year when he upset second seeded Chunlai 21-18, 16-21, 21-17 to set up a semi-final showdown against third seed seed Chen Jin, also from China.

Chen Jin secured his place in the semi-finals after receiving a walkover from compatriot Chen Hong.

Kien Keat and Boon Heong’s below par performances of late have been further compounded by the differences between them and they need to win the title more than anyone else to ease the tension.

A tougher battle awaits Kien Keat-Boon Heong today when they face world champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia but the Malaysians still enjoy an edge if past records are taken into consideration.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong have beaten Markis-Hendra on all three previous meetings and the World No 1 were almost bundled out by another Malaysian pair Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui in the quarter-finals.

Teik Chai-Woon Fui held match point at 21-20 in the deciding game before suffering a 16-21, 21-9, 23-21 defeat.

Tan Fook-Wan Wah will continue their keen rivalry against former world champions Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun of China today.

Tan Fook-Wan Wah need a much improved performance in the last four if they are to repeat their World Championships win over Haifeng-Cai Yun.

In the men’s singles, Roslin Hashim failed to join Choong Hann in the semi-finals after falling 21-18, 21-16 to Athens Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia.

Back-up women’s doubles Amelia Anscelly-Sabrina Chong also bowed out in the quarter-finals when they lost 21-13, 21-9 to World No 3 Chien Yu Chin-Cheng Wen Hsing of Taiwan.

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