Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun chase first win against Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae in Korean Open semi-finals
Men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun face the toughest test of their tournament run today as they take on world No. 1 Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae in the semi-finals of the Korean Open. The Malaysian duo are searching for their first victory against the formidable Korean pair after dropping all six of their previous encounters.
Their most recent meeting ended in defeat during the quarter-finals of the Malaysian Open in January.
Tactical blueprints from compatriots Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei, and Nur Izzuddin
While Man and Tee have struggled to unlock the Korean defense, their compatriots have proven that Kim and Seo are far from unbeatable. Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani found the formula in June, defeating the world No. 1 pair during the semi-finals of the Indonesian Open.
Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik have enjoyed success against them, notching two wins over them this year. Chia and Soh first derailed the Koreans at the World Championships in India in August, dashing their hopes of defending their world title, before securing another victory in the semi-finals of the Denmark Open last month.
Quarter-final victory at Jinnam Stadium sets up Yeosu showdown
Man and Tee booked their place in the final four following a hard-fought straight-games victory over Japan’s Haruki Kawabe and Kenta Matsukawa at the Jinnam Stadium in Yeosu. The Malaysians captured the opening game comfortably before edging a tense second frame to close out the match 21-14, 26-24.
That momentum carries extra weight as Man and Tee stand as the sole remaining Malaysian representatives in the tournament. Their advancement comes on a day when compatriots Chia Weijie and Teo Ee Yi saw their encouraging run halted by another Japanese pair, Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, who secured a 21-17, 18-21 win.
Mixed doubles exit leaves final four as sole Malaysian flagbearers
The Malaysian contingent suffered further disappointment in the mixed doubles draw. Independent pair Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing exited the tournament after falling 14-21, 18-21 to China’s top seeds Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin.
With those early exits across the draws, Man and Tee carry the nation’s remaining championship aspirations into the penultimate round at the Jinnam Stadium.
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