KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Justin Hoh began his search for a maiden World Tour title by advancing to the last 16 of the Malaysia Super 100 at the EduCity Sports Complex in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, today.
World No. 45 Justin, who overcame South Korea's Kim Hae Deun 21-15, 21-16, was pleased with his performance as he targets his first title on home soil.
"This tournament is very important to me as it is held in Malaysia. I hope I can win the title," said Justin.
"I am very happy to have won this match, and I hope to perform better tomorrow.
"I had studied my opponent's playing style, and my strategy was to counter-attack."
Justin will face Indonesia's world No. 62 Richie Duta Richardo for a place in the last eight tomorrow.
Meanwhile, world No. 60 Cheam June Wei secured his place in the next round after defeating China's Dong Tian Yao 23-21, 21-11.
He will play Chinese shuttler Wang Zi Jun, who beat Kok Jing Hong 21-14, 21-14, in the last 16.
Vietnam Open winner Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin also prevailed in an all-Malaysian encounter against Razeeq Danial with a 21-11, 21-13 win to set up a last-16 clash against top seed Zhu Xuan Chen of China.
However, world No. 82 Eogene Ewe was a second-round casualty, going down 21-13, 21-17 to India's Tushar Suveer.
Malaysia's women's singles challenge, led by Goh Jin Wei, ended in the first round.
World No. 54 Jin Wei bowed out 21-17, 21-16 to Indonesia's Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan, while independent shuttler S. Kisona conceded a walkover to Indonesia's Putri Ayu Puspitasari.
Eng Ler Qi suffered a 21-7, 21-14 defeat to India's Malvika Bansod, while Lim Zhi Shin lost 21-13, 21-19 to China's Xu Wen Jing in the second round.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd