Tokyo: Malaysia’s new men’s doubles partnership of Man Wei Chong and Soh Wooi Yik saw its first tournament end in the opening round of the Japan Open after a hard-fought defeat to Chinese Taipei’s Lee Fang Chih and Lee Fang Jen.
Wei Chong and Wooi Yik made a promising start at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium by taking a closely contested opening game 23-21. However, they were unable to maintain that momentum as the Taiwanese pair adjusted their tactics and recovered to win 21-17, 21-16.
The Malaysians eventually went down 23-21, 17-21, 16-21 after 62 minutes, bringing an early end to their debut as a partnership at the BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament.
Man Wei Chong-Soh Wooi Yik Show Positive Signs Despite Defeat
Although the result was disappointing, Wei Chong and Wooi Yik showed several encouraging signs during their first competitive appearance together.
The pair communicated well during the opening stages and were able to match Lee Fang Chih and Lee Fang Jen in the fast exchanges. Their ability to win the first game also suggested that the experimental combination has potential once they develop better court rotation and match understanding.
Wei Chong entered the Japan Open after recently returning from a right knee injury and had been assessed at only around 70 to 75 percent of his best condition before the tournament.
That lack of full match fitness became more noticeable as the contest progressed. The Taiwanese pair increased the pace in the final two games and placed greater pressure on Wei Chong and Wooi Yik during defensive situations.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Lee Fang Chih/Lee Fang Jen of Chinese Taipei defeated Man Wei Chong/Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia 21-23, 21-17, 21-16
- Match duration: 62 minutes
- Outcome: Wei Chong-Wooi Yik were eliminated in the first round
Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong Fall to Japanese Eighth Seeds
Malaysia’s independent men’s doubles pair Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong were also unable to progress beyond the opening round.
They lost 17-21, 14-21 to Japan’s eighth seeds Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi in 33 minutes.
The former world champions controlled the flat exchanges and prevented the Malaysians from establishing a consistent attacking rhythm. Hoki and Kobayashi will continue their campaign in the second round.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Eighth seeds Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi of Japan defeated Azriyn Ayub/Tan Wee Kiong of Malaysia 21-17, 21-14
- Match duration: 33 minutes
- Outcome: Azriyn-Wee Kiong were eliminated in the first round
Goh V Shem-Choi Sol Gyu Beaten by China’s Fourth Seeds
The Malaysia-South Korea combination of Goh V Shem and Choi Sol Gyu also suffered an early exit in men’s doubles.
They were defeated 21-11, 21-11 by China’s fourth seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in only 25 minutes.
The Chinese pair established control from the opening rallies and gave V Shem and Sol Gyu few opportunities to turn the match around.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Fourth seeds Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang of China defeated Goh V Shem of Malaysia and Choi Sol Gyu of South Korea 21-11, 21-11
- Match duration: 25 minutes
- Outcome: V Shem-Sol Gyu were eliminated in the first round
Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Cruise Into Second Round
Malaysia enjoyed better results in mixed doubles, where Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie advanced with a straight-game victory.
The professional Malaysian pair defeated United States combination Chen Zhi Yi and Francesca Corbett 21-13, 22-20 in 33 minutes.
Soon Huat and Shevon controlled the opening game comfortably before facing stronger resistance in the second. The Americans stayed close during the closing stages, but the Malaysians held their nerve to complete the match without needing a decider.
Their next challenge will be considerably tougher. Soon Huat and Shevon will face China’s second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin for a place in the quarterfinals.
Jiang and Wei reached the round of 16 after defeating Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Misaki Matsutomo 21-15, 17-21, 21-12.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Lai Jemie of Malaysia defeated Chen Zhi Yi/Francesca Corbett of the United States 21-13, 22-20
- Match duration: 33 minutes
- Next opponents: Second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin of China
Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin Complete Dramatic Comeback
Malaysia’s Jimmy Wong and Cheng Su Yin produced one of the most spirited performances of the day, recovering from difficult positions to defeat Japan’s Yuichi Shimogami and Sayaka Hobara.
The Malaysians won 21-19, 11-21, 21-19 after a one-hour battle.
Jimmy and Su Yin appeared to be in serious trouble during the opening game when they fell behind 2-10. Instead of allowing the Japanese pair to pull away, they gradually reduced the deficit and began forcing errors through quicker attacking play.
The comeback gathered momentum as the game progressed, with the Malaysians eventually overturning the eight-point deficit to win 21-19.
Shimogami and Hobara responded strongly in the second game, dominating 21-11 to force a decider. The final game was closely contested, but Jimmy and Su Yin stayed composed during the final rallies to close out the match 21-19.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Jimmy Wong/Cheng Su Yin of Malaysia defeated Yuichi Shimogami/Sayaka Hobara of Japan 21-19, 11-21, 21-19
- Match duration: 60 minutes
- Next opponents: The winners of Amri Syahnawi/Nita Violina Marwah of Indonesia against sixth seeds Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue of France
Malaysian Mixed Doubles Keep Japan Open Hopes Alive
The opening-round results produced contrasting fortunes for Malaysia in Tokyo.
Men’s doubles brought disappointment as Man Wei Chong-Soh Wooi Yik, Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong and Goh V Shem-Choi Sol Gyu were all eliminated.
However, the victories recorded by Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin ensured Malaysia retained two representatives in the mixed doubles round of 16.
Soon Huat and Shevon now face one of the tournament’s strongest combinations in Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin, while Jimmy and Su Yin must wait to learn whether they will meet Indonesia’s Amri Syahnawi-Nita Violina Marwah or France’s sixth seeds Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue.
For Wei Chong and Wooi Yik, the first-round loss will be frustrating, but their opening game and several competitive passages offered a glimpse of what the new partnership may be capable of once Wei Chong returns to full fitness and the pair gain more time together on court.
