PETALING JAYA: Justin Hoh (pic) and Eogene Ewe were expected to lead the charge for the national men’s singles squad at the Malaysia Super 100, but both have instead been left with more questions over their form.
The world No. 45 Justin endured a disappointing campaign after going down 10-21, 18-21 to 18-year-old Richie Duta of Indonesia in the third round at the EduCity Sports Complex in Iskandar Puteri yesterday.
The Indonesian youngster is only ranked 62nd in the world.
Eogene had already suffered an early exit on Wednesday, losing in the second round to India’s world No. 106 Tushar Suveer.
The results are a concern as Justin and Eogene are regarded as two of the national squad’s best hopes behind Leong Jun Hao.
Malaysia had 10 men’s singles players in the main draw, with Justin, Eogene and Razeeq Danial Roslie representing the national squad.
Justin’s defeat brought the national men’s singles challenge to an end, with independent shuttler Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin also knocked out after losing 18-21, 21-8, 9-21 to China’s fourth seed Zhu Xuanchen in yesterday’s match.
Malaysia’s doubles players, however, kept the home challenge alive, with Kang Khai Xing and new partner Lok Hong Quan the only national men’s doubles pair to reach the quarter-finals.
The sixth seeds beat Japan’s Takuto Goto-Tsubasa Yoshida 21-17, 21-19 yesterday and will face Taiwan’s Chen Bo-yuan-Lu Ming-che today.
Dania Sofea Zaidi-Tang Zhing Hui also made it through after upsetting third seeds Priya Konjengbam-Shruti Mishra of India 21-15, 22-24, 21-18.
They will take on South Korea’s Lee Seung-hee-Park Min-ji today.
Malaysia also have one pair left in the mixed doubles after Liew Xun-Nicole Tan came from a game down to beat compatriots Wee Yee Hern-Vanee Gobi 17-21, 21-13, 21-13.
Liew Xun-Nicole, however, face a tougher test today against experienced Indonesian pair Rehan Naufal-Melati Daeva.
