Oops!: Tan Wee Kiong-Tan Kian Meng in action against Canada’s Kevin Lee-Ty Alexander Lindeman in the qualifying round of the Malaysian Masters. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: World ranking is not a priority but independent pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi believe that being in the top eight is a boon in a highly competitive men’s doubles scene these days.
Although it is a proven fact that any pair in the top 15 are capable of winning titles in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) tour, the seedings ensures the top eight pairs don’t clash against each other at least until the quarter-finals.
However, there tends to banana skin here and there and Yew Sin-Ee Yi survived with flying colours yesterday after beating the dangerous China combination Ren Xiangyu-Tan Qiang 21-16, 21-18 in the first round.
“The world ranking help in terms of seedings if we are in the top eight. We still face some tough pairs like the China pair today in the first round but at least, we have the relief of not meeting in the top seven pairs in our opening matches,” said Yew Sin.
“Today, we were able to execute what we had been doing in training and our gameplan also worked out well.”
They will meet Lu Ching-yao-Yang Po-han of Taiwan, who overcame Dutch pair Ruben Jille-Ties van der Lecq 21-17, 21-15 in the second round tomorrow.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi will have a slight edge after having beaten the Taiwan combination (21-8, 23-21) in the Sudirman Cup last week.
“We are still tired and did not have enough sleep (rest) after coming back from China but it is not an excuse not to do well. Quite a lot of pairs are also in the same situation,” said Ee Yi.
“We beat the Taiwan pair at the Sudirman Cup and we have a slight edge but they will also be prepared. So, we cannot take for granted and must be prepared for a fight.”
Meanwhile, Badminton Association of Malaysia’s Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun who overcame Denmark Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 25-23, 21-16.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun will meet either compatriots Tan Kian Meng-Tan Wee Kiong or Scottish pair Alexander Dunn-Adam Hall in the second round.
