PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun could draw inspiration from compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani as they seek their first victory over world No. 1 Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae in the Korean Open semi-finals today.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun have struggled against the formidable Korean pair, losing all six of their previous meetings, with their most recent defeat coming in the Malaysian Open quarter-finals in January.
However, the Korean pair have not been unbeatable this year, with Aaron-Wooi Yik and Sze Fei-Izzuddin among those who have managed to overcome them.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin defeated Won-ho-Seung-jae in the Indonesian Open semi-finals in June, while Aaron-Wooi Yik have beaten them twice.
First at the World Championships in India in August to deny the Koreans a chance to defend their world title, and again in the Denmark Open semi-finals last month.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun booked their place in the semi-finals after defeating Japan’s Haruki Kawabe-Kenta Matsukawa 21-14, 26-24 in the quarter-finals at the Jinnam Stadium in Yeosu yesterday.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun are the sole representatives in the tournament after compatriots Chia Weijie-Teo Ee Yi saw their encouraging run come to an end after going down 17-21, 18-21 to another Japanese pair, Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi.
There was also disappointment for independent mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing, who lost 14-21, 18-21 to China’s top seeds Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin.
