Tze Yong eyes strong showing in Masters after missing World Tour Finals ticket

PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Ng Tze Yong (pic) may have missed the chance to compete in the World Tour Finals but it will not stop him from giving his best in the Japan and China Masters.

The Japan Masters starting next Tuesday in Kumamoto and the China Masters from Nov 21-26 in Shenzen are the last two tournaments that will offer ranking points for the top eight singles players to qualify for the Finals in Hangzhou, China, from Dec 13-17.

Tze Yong is ranked eighth now but he is unlikely to make the cut.

Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who is ranked ninth, will enter the Finals through a wildcard by virtue of being the world champion.

Besides, only the best 14 results, which have to include three level six tournaments, over the one year will be used to calculate the total ranking points.

The last two tournaments will not help Tze Yong towards his qualification.

“The rule has changed. Previously, any 14 tournaments in a year is good enough but now, we have to include three top-tier tournaments too,” said singles coach Hendrawan.

“It’s difficult but Tze Yong will still compete in the upcoming two Masters.”

World No. 15 Tze Yong has not won any titles this year but has enjoyed one of his best years, having reached the final of the Arctic Open, semi-finals of the Opens in France and Hong Kong, and seven quarter-final finishes.

He now has a chance to end the year strongly but the draw is quite tricky for both the upcoming Masters.

In the Japan Masters, he has been drawn in the same quarter with top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.

Tze Yong plays Taiwan’s Wang Tzu-wei and if he wins, he will face the winner of the match between Axelsen and Chico Aura of Indonesia in the second round.

In the China Masters, he has been drawn with compatriot Lee Zii Jia in the opening round.