Photo by James Varghese
Muhammad Ikhwan Ramli demolished Czech Republic’s Jan Mateousek 21-2, 21-3 to book his place in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles WH1 classification at the Spanish Para Badminton International.
The joint fifth seed will now play Frenchman David Toupe for a place in the semi-finals. It will be a repeat of the Dubai Para Badminton International final which Ikhwan won 23-21, 21-13 for his inaugural title.
Ikhwan has beaten Toupe in both his previous meetings including at the Thailand Para Badminton International two years ago.
Also through to the quarter-finals is the men’s singles SH6 classification third seed Didin Taresoh. Taresoh who was on the verge of crashing out of in the Group stages, upped the ante with a polished 21-10, 21-2 win over Spaniard Ivan Segura Escobarin his final Group C match.
He finished second in the group behind England’s Isaak Dalglish, who ended Ireland’s Niall McVeigh hopes of making the cut with a 21-17, 21-7 victory.
However, it is going to be another acid test for the Malaysian as he has been drawn to meet Dalglish in the quarter-finals. Isaak had defeated Taresoh, the Dubai Para Badminton International runners-up, 21-17, 21-18 in the group matches on Wednesday.
Taresoh needs another inspired performance to oust the Englishman and earn a semi-final outing against another English player, the second seeded Krysten Coombs.
Top seeded Cheah Liek Hou topped Group A of the men’s singles SU5 classification when he overcame a jittery start before disposing Taiwanese Fang Jeng-yu 23-21, 21-7.
Like Hou, looking to add the title to his Dubai crown, will be up against Spaniard Pablo Serrano in the quarter-finals. This will be the first meeting between the duo at the international arena.
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