PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian continued their push to return to the world’s top 32 rankings by taking down Taiwan’s world No. 12 Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan to reach the Australian Open men’s doubles second round.
Haikal-Hon Jian, who were ranked as high as No. 18 in the world last year, dropped out of the top 32 due to injuries.
The pair though climbed three rungs from No. 37 to No. 34 in the latest rankings list after making it into the Japan Masters quarter-finals in Kumamoto last week.
Yesterday, Haikal-Hon Jian continued their good form by pulling off a sensational 21-10, 21-13 win over Jhe-huei-Po-hsuan in 26 minutes at the Sydney Olympic Park.
Getting back into the top 32 bracket will grant Haikal-Hon Jian access to World Tour Super 750 and 1000 meets next year.
The pair will be out to build on their strong start when they face Indonesia’s world No. 32 Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin next for a place in the last eight.
Meanwhile, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun joined Haikal-Hon Jian in the second round after also overcoming Taiwanese opponents.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun defeated Chiang Chien-wei-Wu Hsuan-yi 23-21, 21-16 while Sze Fei-Izzuddin swept aside He Zhi-wei-Huang Jui-hsuan 21-10, 21-10.
FIRST ROUND RESULTS
Malaysians only
Men’s doubles: Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian bt Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan (Tpe) 21-10, 21-13; Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani bt He Zhi-wei-Huang Jui-hsuan (Tpe) 21-10, 21-10; Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bt Chiang Chien-wei-Wu Hsuan-yi (Tpe) 23-21, 21-16; Rasmus Kjaer-Christian Kjaer (Den) bt Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub 21-19, 13-21, 22-20.
