PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri face a stern test against Japan’s 2021 world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in the Korean Open second round tomorrow.
Hon Jian-Haikal made a composed start in the competition by beating Thailand’s Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 21-19, 21-12 at the Suwon Gymnasium yesterday.
The world No. 47 pair, though, are bracing themselves for a much more challenging clash against the experienced Hoki-Kobayashi, who are currently ranked No. 11 in the world.
Hon Jian-Haikal need to raise their game if they hope to pull off an upset as they have never beaten the Japanese duo before, losing both their past meetings in the Malaysian Masters in May and Indonesian Open in June.
Independent pair Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub, though, suffered an early exit after going down 18-21, 12-21 to Indonesia’s China Open champions Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri.
Meanwhile, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi will play in the first round today against homesters Jin Yong-Na Sung-seung.
World No. 20 Roy King-Arif are Malaysia’s best hope in the men’s doubles in the tournament in the absence of world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (No. 3) Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 8), who have all elected to skip the event.
In the women’s doubles, Malaysia’s challenge came to a premature end after sole representatives Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee lost tamely 13-21, 11-21 to Taiwan’s Hsu Yin-hui-Lin Jhih-yun.
RESULTS
(Malaysians only)
First round
Men’s doubles: Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian bt Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul (Tha) 21-19, 21-12; Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri bt Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub 21-18, 21-12.
Women’s doubles: Hsu Yin-hui-Lin Jhih-yun (Tpe) bt Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee (Tpe) 21-13, 21-11.
