Men's doubles pair Choong Hon Jian (right) and Mohd Haikal Nazri
PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles coach Tan Bin Shen has challenged rising pair Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri to make the step up to higher tier tournaments.
World No. 40 Hon Jian-Haikal are set to break into the world’s top 32 after clinching the World Tour Super 300 Orleans Masters title on Sunday.
The pair, who were only combined last August following a partnership reshuffle in the national team, battled to a 21-15, 18-21, 21-14 victory over Indonesia’s world No. 49 Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza in the final in Orleans.
It was Hon Jian-Haikal’s third title together after they also won the back-to-back Syed Modi International and Indian Masters titles at the end of last year.
The duo will earn 7,000 points after their victory in Orleans which will see them move to No. 31 in the rankings and will gain them entry into Super 1000 and 750 competitions.
Bin Shen was pleased with Hon Jian-Haikal’s achievement and wants the pair to continue their fine progress.
“I’m happy that Hon Jian-Haikal managed to grab this opportunity and get into the final and win the title,” said Bin Shen.
“Breaking into the top 32 is a good achievement for them. I hope they can make the step up and beat top 20 pairs in higher tier events.
“For now, hopefully, they can maintain their performance in the Swiss Open (which starts today).”
Hon Jian-Haikal will now join seniors Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (No. 5), Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 12), Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 18) and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (No. 19) in the top 32.
The youngsters have some way to go to close the gap but the early signs are promising.
Hon Jian-Haikal will have the opportunity to show that they can cut it with the big boys when they face Yew Sin-Ee Yi in the opening round in Basel.
The other Malaysian men’s doubles pairs in the fray are Wei Chong-Kai Wun, Sze Fei-Izzuddin, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong.
