Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri had no problems dispatching Brunei’s Marhanif Ali-Haziq Roze. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
SHAH ALAM: Men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong is pleased to complete his first competitive match of the year unscathed after returning from injury.
Tze Yong secured a comfortable 21-7, 21-11 win over Brunei’s unheralded Kan Kah Kit in the opening Group B match of the men’s team event at the Setia Alam Convention Centre yesterday.
It was the 23-year-old’s first match since suffering a back injury in the first round of the Malaysian Open last month.
“This is my first match of the year and I’m happy to play and get the win,” said Tze Yong.
“I was playing it safe and didn’t want to push myself too much as I have only just returned from injury.”
The world No. 15 is still feeling his way back and hopes to slowly build his match fitness ahead of tougher challenges ahead.
“This tournament is important for me to gauge my physical condition,” said Tze Yong.
Fast play: Leong Jun Hao in action against Brunei’s Marhanif Ali in their group B match. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
“I will say I’m at about 60 to 70 per cent now. It’s good that we get to play two easier matches first before facing Taiwan.
“This will allow us to get used to the court conditions.
“I felt that the draught was strong on court and it was quite hot but everything was still manageable,” added Tze Yong.
Meanwhile, Leong Jun Hao, Eogene Ewe and men’s doubles pairs Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri also easily came out on top in their respective matches to give Malaysia a 5-0 victory over Brunei.
Jun Hao beat Marhanif Ali 21-5, 21-6 while the 18-year-old Eogene, who was making his debut, brushed past Mattew Minggat 21-8, 21-4.
Fellow debutants Hon Jian-Haikal swept aside Marhanif-Haziq Roze 21-5, 21-12 and Sze Fei-Izzuddin completed the rout with a win over Mattew and Mohd Iqbal Asyraf 21-9, 21-7.
Malaysia also had the luxury of resting top stars Lee Zii Jia and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
The team will face Kazakhstan in the second group match today before a huge match-up against Taiwan.
