PETALING JAYA: A world title continues to elude Malaysian badminton after Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi's gallant run came to an end in the semi-finals of the World Championships.
The world No. 12 found Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi too hot to handle as they went down tamely 13-21, 9-21 in just 32 minutes in Huelva, Spain on Saturday.
The exit meant they failed to avenge their recent defeats against the pair in the group stage and semi-finals of the World Tour Finals in Bali.
Still, Yew Sin-Ee Yi, as well as their coach Chin Eei Hui deserve a pat on their backs for saving Malaysia the blushes by winning a bronze medal.
For Hoki-Kobayashi, the win has sent them into their second consecutive final. In Basel two years ago, they were pipped by Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia for the title.
They will play against China's He Jiting-Tan Qiang in today's final. Jiting-Tan Qiang defeated Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark 21-16, 13-21, 21-15 in another semi-final.
The Japanese pair should start as the favourite in the title decider given how dominant they have been of late. They have won three titles in four finals and have climbed from the world No. 16 to No. 4 in just three three months.
Yew Sin said they could not handle their opponents' speed.
"It was very difficult because we couldn't cope with their speed and rhythm and by the time we wanted to change our game, it was little bit too late," said Yew Sin.
"Our defensive game wasn't solid. We're quite sad with the manner of the defeat because we couldn't play the way we wanted."
Said Ee Yi: "I gave too much pressure on myself because I wanted to do well so badly. I couldn't enjoy the game and ended up committing a lot of mistakes."
Meanwhile India's K. Srikanth will take on Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in the men's singles final.
The 28-year-old Srikanth defeated his younger teammate Lakshya Sen 17-21, 21-14, 21-17 while Penang-born Kean Yew, who is ranked 22nd in the world, stunned world No. 3 Anders Antonsen of Denmark 23-21, 21-14.
The world No. 12 found Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi too hot to handle as they went down tamely 13-21, 9-21 in just 32 minutes in Huelva, Spain on Saturday.
The exit meant they failed to avenge their recent defeats against the pair in the group stage and semi-finals of the World Tour Finals in Bali.
Still, Yew Sin-Ee Yi, as well as their coach Chin Eei Hui deserve a pat on their backs for saving Malaysia the blushes by winning a bronze medal.
For Hoki-Kobayashi, the win has sent them into their second consecutive final. In Basel two years ago, they were pipped by Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia for the title.
They will play against China's He Jiting-Tan Qiang in today's final. Jiting-Tan Qiang defeated Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark 21-16, 13-21, 21-15 in another semi-final.
The Japanese pair should start as the favourite in the title decider given how dominant they have been of late. They have won three titles in four finals and have climbed from the world No. 16 to No. 4 in just three three months.
Yew Sin said they could not handle their opponents' speed.
"It was very difficult because we couldn't cope with their speed and rhythm and by the time we wanted to change our game, it was little bit too late," said Yew Sin.
"Our defensive game wasn't solid. We're quite sad with the manner of the defeat because we couldn't play the way we wanted."
Said Ee Yi: "I gave too much pressure on myself because I wanted to do well so badly. I couldn't enjoy the game and ended up committing a lot of mistakes."
Meanwhile India's K. Srikanth will take on Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in the men's singles final.
The 28-year-old Srikanth defeated his younger teammate Lakshya Sen 17-21, 21-14, 21-17 while Penang-born Kean Yew, who is ranked 22nd in the world, stunned world No. 3 Anders Antonsen of Denmark 23-21, 21-14.
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