KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Chong Lee Qian produced Malaysia's biggest upset of the day at the World Junior Championships in Cairo today, stunning fourth seed Yaidel Gil of Spain to storm into the boys' singles last 32.
The unseeded Malaysian needed just 22 minutes to dispatch Gil 15-12, 15-7 and will next face Denmark's 28th seed Frederik Hinding.
Lee Qian spearheaded a strong showing by the Malaysian boys, with fifth seed Kong Wei Xiang and 17th seed Lim Boon Le also advancing.
Wei Xiang barely broke sweat in a 15-3, 15-6 demolition of Czech Republic's Lukas Thor and will next meet India's Nishchal Chand.
Boon Le, however, had to dig deep against Hong Kong's Chan Yik Hei, recovering from a game down before prevailing 13-15, 15-7, 16-14 in 42 minutes.
He faces India's Akhil Reddy Bobba for a place in the last 16.
Malaysia also enjoyed several notable victories in the girls' singles.
Lee Kay Xin pulled off another seeded upset by beating Ukraine's 11th seed Raiia Almalalha 15-7, 9-15, 15-10.
She next meets Indonesia's Raisya Affatunisa.
Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad was equally impressive in knocking out Turkiye's 20th seed Elifnur Demir 15-3, 15-13, but faces a stern test against fifth seed Ip Sum Yau of Hong Kong next.
Carine Tee eased past Spain's Sara Del Castillo 15-10, 15-6 and will take on Indonesia's Mayla Cahya Afilian Pratiwi in the last 32.
Teoh Sue Mei, however, bowed out after losing 15-12, 13-15, 15-7 to India's 12th seed Tanvi Reddy Andluri.
In the women's doubles, Leong Hwee Ling-Teoh Min Yi defeated Mauritius' Tiya Bhurtun-Elsa How Hong 15-13, 15-6.
They will next face compatriots and 13th seeds Rachel Tan-Teh Xin Ying, guaranteeing Malaysia at least one pair in the last 32.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd