Malaysia’s Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles shuttlers Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun endured a setback ahead of the Malaysian Masters next week after suffering a disappointing second round exit in the Thailand Open.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun were stunned 21-15, 19-21, 18-21 by Denmark's world No. 75 William Kryger-Christian Faust at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok on Thursday (May 15).
The world No. 7 pair were hoping for a good outing before the home tourney but struggled in the second and third games against the spirited Danes before losing in 46 minutes.
"We didn't prepare well enough to face this pair. Some of their shots were tricky and we were caught off guard," Kai Wun lamented in a post match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
"This is the first time we are playing in this venue where the shuttle in the stadium was fast and we could not control well."
It was Wei Chong-Kai Wun fourth straight early round exit in individual tournaments after the duo also suffered the same fate in the Orleans Masters, All-England and Asian Championships.
Despite showing signs of progress earlier in the year after capturing the Indonesian Masters title and reaching the semi-finals in the Malaysian Open in January, Wei Chong admitted that the pair are still struggling with inconsistency.
"Europeans and Asians play different styles and our opponents played well today (yesterday) while our performances are still not consistent," said Wei Chong.
Meanwhile, national No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik earlier had survived a close battle to book their spot in the second round.
World No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik were taken the distance by world No. 56 Fench pair Julien Maio-William Villeger before using their experience to prevail 22-24, 21-19, 21-15 in 62 minutes.
The reigning Asian champions will face Japan’s world No. 36 Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita next for a place in the last eight.
