The duo had to fight back from a set down to win 18-21, 21-17, 21-15 against Cheah Like Hou-Chow Pak Chuu in their Group B match.

Fairuzizuan-Zakry, who came under fire after their first-round defeat in the Malaysian Open last month, however, got their act together for the second group match to dispose of Goh Wei Shem-Vountus Indra Mawan 21-17, 21-16.

Against Like Hou-Pak Chuu, the Malaysian No. 2 were out of sorts. They were probably feeling the pressure of having to do better after their dismal performance in the Malaysian Open.

“The pressure got to us and we couldn’t think clearly. Luckily, we managed to pick ourselves up and get the win,” said Fairuzizuan.

Standing strong: Mohd Fairuzizuan-Mohd Zakry had to fight hard to defeat Like Hou-Pak Chuu 18-21, 21-17, 21-15 in the National Grand Prix Finals at the Bandaraya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday. — ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG / The Star

Wei Shem-Vountus had earlier defeated the former national pair of Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng 21-19, 21-18.

If Fairuzizuan-Zakry had a scare, then defending champions Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah must have had a nightmare! The duo lost both their Group A matches and are out of the competition.

They lost to Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong 12-21, 19-21 before going down 13-21, 20-22 to former national pair Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah.

In the women’s doubles, top seeds Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui reigned supreme in Group A with easy wins over Lim Yee Theng-Ng Soo Mui (21-6, 21-8) and Lai Pei Jing-Shevon Lai Jemie (21-11, 21-15).

Lydia Cheah, meanwhile, dominated women’s singles Group A with a hard-fought 22-20, 21-16 win over Yang Li Lian and a routine 21-11, 21-10 triumph over Lim Yee Theng.

Lydia will face either younger sister Sonia or Tee Jing Yi in tomorrow’s semi-finals.

Sonia and Jing Yi won both their Group B matches yesterday.

Meanwhile, world No. 1 men’s singles ace Lee Chong Wei overpowered Ho Khek Mong 21-9, 21-8 before thrashing Syed Akhbar Syed Mustakim 21-7, 21-9 in Group A.

Chong Wei shouldn’t have much problem getting past Mohd Arif Abdul Latif in his final group match today.

The battle in Group B is turning out to be a two-man race between Tan Chun Seang and Lim Fang Yang, who both won their matches respectively.

The competition continues today with the final group matches.

Courtesy of The Star