Tee Kai Wun ended a 15-month wait for a World Tour title after he and Yap Roy King defeated Man Wei Chong and Soh Wooi Yik to win the Korea Masters men’s doubles title on Sunday.
The newly formed Malaysian pair produced a composed performance in the final, securing a 21-13, 21-18 victory over Wei Chong and Wooi Yik.
The win was particularly significant for Kai Wun, who previously partnered Wei Chong for several years before the Malaysian doubles programme reshuffled its combinations. Facing his former partner in a major final could have added pressure, but Kai Wun and Roy King remained focused on executing their game plan.
“We were with other partners for four to five years. This is a final, and we didn't think about our previous partnerships,” Kai Wun said.
The Malaysians adopted an aggressive approach from the start, looking to put pressure on Wei Chong and prevent the pair from establishing their attacking rhythm. The strategy worked as Kai Wun and Roy King controlled much of the match and secured the title in straight games.
For Kai Wun, the victory ends a drought dating back 15 months to his previous World Tour triumph with Wei Chong. For Roy King, it marks his second World Tour title after his earlier success at the Macau Open.
The victory also represents an encouraging start for the new partnership. Roy King admitted that reaching the final had not been their initial expectation, with the pair instead focused on building their understanding on court.
“We didn't expect to make the final and we are both happy to do that first. I told my partner (Kai Wun) just to enjoy the game and try to find our rhythm,” Roy King said.
Their successful run comes at an important time, with the World Championships in New Delhi approaching. The pair will next turn their attention to the China Masters before the Malaysian doubles combinations return to their original partnerships for the world event.
Kai Wun and Roy King’s Korea Masters triumph therefore provides more than just another trophy. It gives the pair valuable confidence and match experience, while giving Kai Wun renewed momentum after a lengthy wait for another World Tour title.
The other Korea Masters champions were Zhu Xuan Chen of China in the men’s singles, Ashmita Chaliha of India in the women’s singles, Luo Yi and Wang Ting Ge of China in the women’s doubles, and Yuta Watanabe and Maya Taguchi of Japan in the mixed doubles.
