Old guards Wee Kiong-Azriyn show they still got it, as three other men pairs reach quarters
PETALING JAYA: Veteran doubles shuttler Tan Wee Kiong and his partner Nur Azriyn Ayub were not expected to go far but they pulled off the biggest surprise of the day to book a spot in the quarter-finals of the Japan Open.
Wee Kiong-Azriyn upstaged former world No. 1s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark 21-16, 15-21, 21-19 in a gruelling 63-minute duel yesterday – their best result in a Super 750 tournament since joining forces in June 2023.
The 36-year-old Wee Kiong, who once held the same world No. 1 status with former partner Goh V Shem, showed he still has the touch, with Azriyn, and outlasted the fourth seeds.
“We’re just happy to get the win today. Honestly, we weren’t thinking about the result – just staying focused on every return and staying present in each rally,” said Wee Kiong.
“It’ll be the same approach next. Of course, we want to win, but the main thing is to keep our focus point by point.”
They will take on either Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian, who is pairing up with Shohibul Fikri, or Denmark’s Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard in the quarter-finals today.
As expected, world No. 1 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also checked into the last eight, but not without a fight.
The defending champions were made to work hard before subduing Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita 21-19, 21-18 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
They will meet the winners of the clash between Fajar-Shohibul and Rasmus Kjaer- Frederik Sogaard.
Also through to the quarter-finals are sixth seeds Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who held their nerve to edge China’s Huang Di-Liu Yang 21-19, 14-21, 22-20 in a tight encounter.
A tough challenge awaits them as they face South Korea’s Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae next.
Completing a strong day for the Malaysian camp were Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, who came from behind to overcome the United States’ Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith 19-21, 21-14, 21-19.
Like Wee Kiong-Azriyn, it will be their first quarter-final outing of the year. They are set to face fifth seeds Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang of China.
