Stellar feat: Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub upset world No. 1 pair Kim Won-ho–Seo Seung-jae of South Korea in just 36 minutes.
PETALING JAYA: Veterans Tan Wee Kiong–Nur Azriyn Ayub were the least expected to stay alive in the Denmark Open, but they have defied the odds to emerge as the only Malaysian men’s doubles pair left standing in the quarter-finals – proving they have not lost their touch just yet.
The 2016 Rio Olympic silver medallist Wee Kiong and Azriyn pulled off a stunning upset by defeating the formidable world No. 1 pair Kim Won-ho–Seo Seung-jae of South Korea 21–19, 21–14 in just 36 minutes in the second round to surpass expectations.
Adding to the sweetness of their surprise run, the duo managed to beat the Korean duo in straight games, unlike their compatriots who were both pushed to deciding sets.
They are only the third Malaysian men’s doubles pair to overcome the Korean stars this year, after Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the Singapore Open final in June, and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the India Open final in January.
Wee Kiong-Azriyn are the only remaining pair still in contention at the tournament after five others – Aaron-Wooi Yik, Sze Fei-Izzuddin, Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin, Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King and Choong Hon Jian, bowed out earlier.
Wee Kiong shared that he and Azriyn went to Odense without any specific targets and did not overthink when facing the highly rated Won-ho and Seung-jae.
He believes their ability to stay composed and avoid being drawn into their opponents’ tempo proved crucial in their stunning win over the world No. 1 pair.
“Of course, we are happy that we managed to win today. For us, we just wanted to enjoy the match and kept reminding each other to stay focused and give our best on court.
“The first thing was to try to follow their pace because everybody knows they are fast and strong. That’s what we discussed before the match – to stay focused and keep up with their tempo. Maybe at some points when we were rallying, they lost focus,” said Wee Kiong.
A tougher challenge awaits Wee Kiong and Azriyn in today’s quarter-finals as they are set to take on fifth seeds Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang of China in what will be their first-ever meeting.
“We always want to try to achieve something more, and I think today’s win gives us that motivation to keep going.
“We’ll continue to fight for the country,” added Wee Kiong.
RESULTS
(Malaysians only)
Second round
Men’s doubles: Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub bt Kim Won-ho-Seong Seung-jae (Kor) 21-19, 21-14.
Women’s doubles: Arisa Igarashi-Chiharu Shida (Jpn) bt Pearly Tan-M Thinaah 21-18, 21-9.
Mixed doubles: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai bt Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara (Jpn) 21-13, 21-18; Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Gao Jiaxuan-Wu Mengying (Chn) 21-14, 21-11.
First round
Men’s singles: Li Shifenf (Chn) bt Leong Jun Hao 21-13, 21-16.
Men’s doubles: Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov (Fra) br Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 21-19, 21-14; Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi bt Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King 21-15, 21-19.
Women’s doubles: Jeong Na-eun-Lee Yeon-woo (Kor) bt Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing 21-5, 21-16; Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting bt Polina Buhrova-Yevheniia Kantemyr (Ukr) 21-11, 21-16.
Mixed doubles: Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto (Ind) bt Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien 21-7, 21-14.
