KUALA LUMPUR: If Man Wei Chong’s solid performance is any indication, it appears he has finally put his knee injury woes behind him after he and Tee Kai Wun powered into the last 16 of the All England in Birmingham on Wednesday.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun defeated Taiwanese brothers Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen, the world No. 22, 21-17, 21-16 to maintain their perfect 3-0 record against the pair.
The victory was also significant as the Malaysians finally broke their first-round jinx at the sport’s oldest tournament.
Since making their debut in 2022, Wei Chong-Kai Wun had suffered opening-round exits in their previous appearances, including the last two editions.
The performance was particularly encouraging for Wei Chong, who has been battling a troublesome right knee since last year.
Medical scans previously revealed a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), meniscus damage and a chondral injury — issues that would sideline many athletes.
They will next face another Taiwanese challenge in world No. 12 Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi Lin.
Earlier, Hsiang Chieh-Chi Lin denied Malaysia an all-Malaysian clash in the last 16 after beating world No. 26 Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong 21-18, 21-14.
Malaysia also saw former world junior champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing advance after they stunned India’s fourth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 23-21, 21-15.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun, however, will head into the encounter with confidence after dominating their only previous meeting with the Taiwanese pair at the World Tour Finals group stage in December.
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