PETALING JAYA: Veteran men’s doubles pair Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub proved they are still a force to be reckoned with when they produced a dramatic comeback to book a quarter-final spot at the Thailand Masters.
Wee Kiong and Azriyn were expected to have little trouble against Taiwan’s Lai Po-yu-Tsai Fu-cheng, having won all three previous encounters but they were taken to the distance in the second round at Nimibutr Stadium on Thursday (Jan 29).
Wee Kiong and Azriyn even trailed 7-16 in the second game but the world No. 28 duo kept their composure and patience, clawing back point by point to secure a 21-12, 22-20 victory.
They will now face China’s Hu Keyuan and Lin Xiangyi, who earlier defeated Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing 21-23, 18-21.
In the women’s singles, all Malaysia’s representatives continued their fine form with Wong Ling Ching, K. Letshanaa and Goh Jin Wei reaching the last eight.
Ling Ching gained a confidence boost after eliminating seventh seed Julie Jakobsen of Denmark 21-18, 21-11, and will face India’s Isharani Baruah in the quarter finals.
Letshanaa, meanwhile, had to fight tooth and nail before defeating another Indian player, Shriyanshi Valishetty, 21-17, 20-22, 21-19 to set up meeting against compatriot Goh Jin Wei, who caused a shock by ousting sixth seed Han Qianxi of China 12-21, 21-10, 21-16.
