KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s campaign in the Super 750 Singapore Open came to an end in the quarter-finals, as all four representatives faltered in their respective matches.
The Malaysian shuttlers who made it to the last eight included Leong Jun Hao in the men’s singles, mixed doubles duo Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, and the men’s doubles pairs of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
The first to exit were Tang Jie and Ee Wei, who lost 14-21, 18-21 to South Korea’s fourth-seeded Seo Seung-jae and Chae Yu-jung.
Next to fall were Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin, who put up a valiant fight but ultimately went down 16-21, 21-19, 17-21 to China’s He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu.
Sze Fei admitted that the pace of the game was challenging.
“The rhythm of the game was a bit too fast for us,” he told BWF after the match held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“In terms of preparation, we need to work on getting better when going up against tougher opponents.”
Jun Hao followed suit, succumbing 11-21, 12-21 to world number one Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
The final blow for Malaysia came when Aaron and Wooi Yik lost 10-21, 14-21 to the Danish pair Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, capping a disappointing day for the team.
Malaysia last clinched a title at the Singapore Open in 2018 through Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai in the mixed doubles.
Before that, Malaysia’s victories came in 2008 through Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the men’s singles and Zakry Abdul Latif and Fairuzizuan Tazari in the men’s doubles.
The Malaysian team will now look to regroup and prepare for their next challenge on the international circuit, which is the Super 1000 Indonesia Open commencing on June 4. – May 31, 2024