Indonesia Open: Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu into quarter-finals after stunning fourth seed Chou Tien-Chen of Taiwan
- Lee beats Taiwanese No 1 and fourth seed in straight games to set up clash with Zhao Junpeng of China in Jakarta
- ‘We must approach the match cautiously, and not give away any easy chances,’ Hong Kong coach Tim He Yiming says
Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu stormed into the quarter-finals of the Indonesia Open with an empathetic 2-0 win over fourth seed Chou Tien-Chen of Taiwan in Jakarta on Thursday.
The 21-18, 21-13 victory was the first for Lee in three meetings with the Taiwanese No 1 – who beat him at the Indonesia Masters last week – and saw him cut his head-to-head deficit against the 32-year-old to 4-3.
“We always believe Lee has a chance against the Taiwanese,” said head coach Tim He Yiming. “He put the game under his control with his speed that his opponent could hardly match.
“Also, Chou must be exhausted at his age after reaching the final last week and playing three games in the previous match on Wednesday – he is not young any more.”
Chou could do little against 25-year-old Lee throughout their 49-minute battle. The Hong Kong player was in control from the off, and built a 13-7 lead before sealing the first game.
