SOUTH Koreans Lee Hyun-il and Hwang Hye-youn turned giant-killers on the opening day of the Malaysian Open yesterday.

Hyun-il, who took a six-month break in 2006, finally chalked up his first big win in a year – beating World Championships runner-up and world number six Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia 12-21, 24-22, 21-16 in the men's singles first round.

“I took a six-month break because I just could not cope with the hectic badminton schedule. I struggled when I returned to competitive badminton. But I am glad that I am getting back my touch,” said the 28-year-old Hyun-il.

“I am now ranked 28th in the world. I am determined to make the top 16 and qualify for the Beijing Olympics and I will have to continue beating the top players.”

He will play against Indian Anup Sridhar today for a place in the quarter-finals.

There was more joy in the Korean camp when Hye-youn pulled off a sensational 21-14, 21-17 victory over second seed Zhang Ning of China in just 33 minutes to advance in the women’s singles competition.

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