Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi came close but simply could not finish off their opponents Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen of China as the third seeds carved out a 16-21, 22-20, 22-20 win in 63 minutes in the men’s doubles quarter-finals in the China Open in Changzhou on Friday.
Despite the defeat, the 23rd ranked Malaysians can hold their heads high. In the second round, Yew Sin-Ee Yi beat defending champions and No 8 seeds Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark with a 21-18, 14-21, 25-23 win.
Malaysian professionals Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, winners of the Chinese Taipei Open last week, were no match for Indonesia’s World No 1 and top seeds Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and were blown away 15-21, 17-21 in 34 minutes.
With the win, the Indonesians took their tally to 5-1 in their six meetings.
In the mixed doubles national No 1 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon lai Jemie also failed to make the last four. The Malaysian hopes were beaten 17-21, 16-21 by Thai fourth seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the USD1 million event.
The Thai pair became the first Thais to win a medal in the World Championships – by taking the bronze medal in Basel, Switzerland in August. The Thais now lead the Malaysians 6-4 in 10 meetings. RIZAL ABDULLAH
