PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are not expected to get much of a break as they will continue their campaign at the Kumamoto Masters starting next Tuesday (Nov 11).
Men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said he wants the duo to strengthen their position in the World Tour Finals standings to secure qualification for the season finale in December.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun fell 16-21, 15-21 to Indonesia’s Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza in the Hylo Open semi-finals on Saturday, ending their hopes of reaching a third final this year.
Despite the defeat, they still collected valuable ranking points, and Herry hopes they can add to that tally in Kumamoto.
“They made a lot of errors and their condition was not good, and they did not play at their best (in the Hylo Open semi-final).
“They will go to Kumamoto to chase points to qualify for the World Tour Finals,” said Herry briefly when contacted.
Herry’s decision, however, has prompted concern as Kai Wun was reported to have suffered a left calf injury again after his match the day before.
Kai Wun revealed on social media that he had been struggling with a left calf injury and had to receive medical treatment immediately after the tie.
It was the same injury that had forced him to pull out of the Arctic Open and Denmark Open last month.
“Sorry everyone, I really gave it my all. I wasn’t even sure I could get this far when I came here to compete. I’m already happy to have performed at this level. Thank you to everyone for the strong support,” said Kai Wun in his social media post.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun are currently ranked fifth with 79,600 points and are battling compatriots Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who sit in seventh place with 69,170 points, to reach the World Tour Finals.
Top pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, meanwhile, are virtually assured of qualification as they occupy second spot with 92,940 points.
Only the top eight players or pairs will qualify for the Finals, with each country allowed a maximum of two representatives.
Earlier, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik had confirmed they have withdrawn from the Kumamoto Masters and the Australian Open in Sydney a week later.
This will allow them to focus on preparations for the SEA Games in Thailand in December, followed by the World Tour Finals three days later in Hangzhou.
