Macau Open: Six Malaysians Reach Quarter-finals as Men’s Doubles Guarantees Semi-final Spot
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia continued its impressive run at the Macau Open badminton championships after six representatives advanced to the quarter-finals, with the men’s doubles event already guaranteeing the country at least one place in the semi-finals.
The encouraging results have strengthened Malaysia’s hopes of securing titles in several categories as the national contingent continues to deliver consistent performances throughout the tournament.
The spotlight was firmly on the men’s doubles competition, where top seeds Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azriyn and Tan Wee Kiong booked their place in the last eight after defeating fellow Malaysians Boon Xin Yuan and Lwi Sheng Hao.
The world No. 25 pair displayed their experience and composure to claim a 21-17, 22-20 victory in just 38 minutes.
Their reward is a quarter-final clash against another Malaysian duo, Low Hang Yee and Ng Eng Cheong, ensuring that one Malaysian pair will definitely progress to the semi-finals.
Hang Yee and Eng Cheong, currently ranked No. 73 in the world, produced one of the surprises of the day by defeating Singapore’s Wesley Koh and Junsuke Kubo 21-18, 21-14.
The pair played aggressively throughout the match and wrapped up the victory in 38 minutes, earning a meeting with Azriyn and Wee Kiong.
With both pairs coming from Malaysia, the country is guaranteed at least one semi-final berth in the men’s doubles event.
Malaysia’s success in the discipline did not stop there.
Chia Wei Jie and Teo Ee Yi also advanced to the quarter-finals after stunning tournament second seeds Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi of China.
Despite losing the opening game 23-25, the Malaysian pair fought back strongly to take the next two games 21-16 and 21-13.
The comeback victory, achieved in 56 minutes, highlighted the pair’s growing chemistry and fighting spirit.
They will next face Taiwan’s Wei Chun Wei and Yang Po Chih for a place in the semi-finals.
In the women’s doubles event, Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting reached their first quarter-final of the season after overcoming Taiwan’s Chou Yun An and Sung Yi Hsuan.
The world No. 23 pair looked confident throughout the encounter, securing a straight-game victory of 21-13, 21-17 in 42 minutes.
The result marked an important milestone for the duo, who have shown gradual improvement over the past few months.
However, a tougher challenge awaits them in the quarter-finals, where they will face South Korea’s Kim Hye Jeong and Moon In Seo.
Malaysia also enjoyed success in mixed doubles thanks to Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing.
The newly-formed professional partnership needed only 24 minutes to defeat Taiwan’s Cheng Kai Wen and Liu Chiao Yun 21-13, 21-12.
Their convincing performance suggested that the partnership is beginning to gel and could emerge as a serious contender in the tournament.
To secure a place in the semi-finals, they will have to overcome South Korea’s Cho Song Hyun and Jeong Na Eun.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s hopes in the men’s singles category now rest solely on youngster Eogene Ewe.
The promising player defeated compatriot Cheam June Wei 21-15, 21-15 in just 35 minutes to book his place in the quarter-finals.
Eogene will now face a stern test against tournament second seed Jason Teh of Singapore.
Malaysia, however, suffered disappointment in the women’s singles event after Goh Jin Wei was forced to retire during her match against India’s Anmol Kharb.
Jin Wei trailed 4-12 in the opening game before withdrawing, reportedly due to fitness concerns.
Also exiting the tournament were men’s singles player Huan Kai Hern, mixed doubles pairs Low Han Chen-Chan Wen Tse and Liew Xun-Ho Lo Ee, as well as South Korea-Malaysia combination Choi Sol Gyu and Goh V Shem.
Despite those setbacks, Malaysia’s achievement of placing six representatives in the quarter-finals reflects the depth of talent within the squad and keeps alive hopes of a successful campaign at the Macau Open.
