KUALA LUMPUR: England's Ben Lane-Sean Vendy once again underlined their growing reputation as Malaysian nemeses after ending Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri's campaign in the opening round of the Indonesia Masters on Tuesday.
The world No. 14 recovered from a game down to dispatch world No. 34 Hon Jian-Haikal 17-21, 21-17, 21-3, sealing their third win in four meetings against the Malaysians.
Lane-Vendy's dominance over Malaysian pairs has been a recurring theme, with the English combination winning 11 of their 15 encounters against local opposition since September 2024.
During that period, they have beaten six different Malaysian pairings, with Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun the only exception.
Just two weeks ago at the Malaysia Open, Lane-Vendy also accounted for Hon Jian-Haikal and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani on their way to the semi-finals.
A repeat clash with Sze Fei-Izzuddin could be on the cards in Jakarta, with the two pairs on course to meet in the quarter-finals should they both clear the second round.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin progressed without much fuss, carving out a 21-15, 21-17 win over American duo Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith.
Struggling for form in recent weeks, the Malaysians are eager for a confidence-boosting run after slipping out of the world's top eight and down to No. 9 in the latest rankings.
Also through to the second round were Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, who produced an assured performance to defeat Taiwan's Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen 21-13, 21-18.
They will next face Indonesia's SEA Games champions Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, who had to dig deep to overcome Malaysian pair Chia Wei Jie-Lwi Sheng Hao 21-18, 19-21, 21-10.
Meanwhile, former world championships bronze medallists Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi continued to struggle for momentum, bowing out 21-18, 21-15 to Taiwan's Lee Jhe Huei-Yang Po Hsuan in their third consecutive first-round exit this year.
