By : K.M. Boopathy
MALAYSIA’S men’s doubles had a poor start in the Japan Open when only two out of six pairs survived their first round encounters at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday.
Second seeds Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong advanced to the second round courtesy of a 18-21, 21-13, 21-14 win over compatriots Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock.
Veteran pair Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah were the second pair to survive but only after a 21-11, 14-21, 21-11 win over Taiwan’s Fang Chieh Min-Lee Sheng Mu in the first round.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong will have to lift their performance when they play Indonesians Luluk Hadiyanto-Alven Yulianto today.
Tan Fook-Wan Wah face an easier match against Singapore’s Hendri Kurniawan-Hendra Wijaya but complacency is something the Malaysians must avoid.
Meanwhile, the challenge of three other Malaysian pairs folded without a fight.
Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui were shown the exit when they lost 21-18, 21-19 by Taiwan’s Chien Yu Hsun-Lin Yu Lang.
Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari’s poor form continued when they were beaten 21-13, 21-17 by world championships runners-up Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae of South Korea.
Chan Chong Ming-Hoon Thien How were the next to go when they lost 21-17, 21-17 to Thailand’s Sudket Prapakamol-Patapol Ngernsrisuk in the first round.
In the women’s doubles, Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui fared no better when they were upset 21-17, 15-21, 21-19 by Japan’s Aki Akao-Tomomi Matsuda.
Mixed doubles pair Tan Wee Kiong-Woon Khe Wei also crashed out in the first round after losing 21-14, 21-15 to Lee Jae Jin-Hwang Yu Mi of South Korea.
