Malaysia’s men’s doubles contingent continued to impress at the French Open, with three pairs reaching the quarter-finals to strengthen the country’s hopes of a deep run at the tournament.
World No. 11 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun booked their place in the last eight with a 25-23, 21-14 victory over Japan’s eighth seeds Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in 41 minutes. The Malaysians held their nerve in a close opening game before taking control in the second.
The win also levelled their head-to-head record against the Japanese pair at 2-2. After losing their first two meetings, Wei Chong and Kai Wun have now won their past two encounters, including a victory at last year’s Malaysia Masters.
They will next face compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, guaranteeing Malaysia a place in the men’s doubles semi-finals.
Former world champions Aaron and Wooi Yik advanced without playing after Thailand’s Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul withdrew from their match.
The world No. 2 Malaysians hold a 5-3 head-to-head advantage over Wei Chong and Kai Wun. Their most recent meeting came in the All England quarter-finals in March, where Aaron and Wooi Yik prevailed 21-16, 20-22, 21-14.
Meanwhile, sixth seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin also progressed after overcoming Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard in a 50-minute battle.
The world No. 5 pair recovered from dropping the second game to secure a 21-6, 14-21, 21-18 victory. The result ended their two-match losing streak against the Danes and levelled their career head-to-head record at 4-4.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin have now reached the French Open quarter-finals for a second consecutive year, keeping their hopes of going further in Paris alive.
With three Malaysian pairs through to the last eight, the country remains firmly in contention for the men’s doubles title. The all-Malaysian clash between Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Aaron-Wooi Yik also ensures that at least one pair will advance to the semi-finals.
