KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran men’s doubles shuttler Tan Wee Kiong and partner Nur Azriyn Ayub turned back the clock in spectacular fashion to down compatriots Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and keep their Malaysia Open dreams alive at the Axiata Arena on Tuesday.
Wee Kiong, who turns 37 in May, and Azriyn, 34, secured a superb come-from-behind 11-21, 24-22, 21-11 win over the world No. 29 in 52 minutes.
The victory looked like a distant dream as the world No. 28 Wee Kiong-Azriyn were trailing 13-5 and later 20-16 in the second game before saving four match points to earn a brilliant win over their fellow independent training mates.
Wee Kiong, competing in his 16th Malaysia Open, said they remained composed despite the deficit.
“We didn’t really think about the score although we were trailing,” said Wee Kiong.
“We were down 13-5 and then 20-16 but our focus was on how to get back and find our rhythm.”
He said that not focusing on the scoreboard helped reduce the pressure.
“For now, we don’t want to think too much. We have one day off and must take care of our condition so that by Thursday, we can be in better shape,” Wee Kiong added.
Azriyn said he struggled with early nerves before settling into the match.
“In any tournament, that’s usually how I feel. But whether I like it or not, I have to get used to it and keep motivating myself,” said Azriyn.
They will face either South Korea’s Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae or China’s Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi in the next round.
In other matches, world No. 5 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun secured their second-round spot by beating Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 21-17, 21-18.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun will next meet Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita.
World No. 7 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also progressed after defeating Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard 21-15, 21-13. They will face England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, who eliminated Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri 16-21, 21-16, 21-15.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd