An expected stroll turns into rough ride for Wei Chong-Kai Wun

PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (pic) almost messed it up by taking their feet off the pedal before overcoming Taiwan pair Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen to reach the second round of the Swiss Open in Basel on Tuesday.

It should have been a stroll for the world No. 18th ranked pair but they decided make things difficult for themselves by losing concentration in the third game before securing a 20-22, 21-11, 21-19 win in 63 minutes.

The Malaysians led 15-6 in the third game but allowed the Taiwan pair to reduce the deficit to 14-15.

There was also a spot of bother as the Taiwan pair saved two match points at 17-20 and closed the gap to 19-20 before Wei Chong-Kai Wun ended the contest.

It should not have been a struggle if Wei Chong-Kai Wun had taken the first game after leading 13-8 but they allowed the Taiwan pair to win 22-20.

Malaysia are asssured of a place in the last eight as Wei Chong-Kai Wun will meet compatriots Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, who beat Andreas Sondergaard-Jesper Toft of Denmark 21-19, 21-18, in the second round today.

Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were also through with a 22-20, 21-18 win over Adam Dong-Nyl Yakura of Canada while Orleans Masters champions Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Hanafi defeated Koceila Mammeri-Yousef Sabri of Algeria 21-14, 21-10 in their respective opening matches.

National men’s doubles coach Tan Bin Shen has cautioned his charges to remain focused and take every rally seriously if they want to do well in the tournament.

“I don’t want the players to be over confident when they are leading or lose concentration and rhythm if the opponents are fighting back. Just stay focused on every point and stick to the game plan,” said Bin Shen.

“Sometimes, they over-estimate the opponents and don’t trust their own abilities. Complicated thinking is not going to help them to win.

“Wei Chong-Kai Wun made things hard for themselves by not being focused from the start till the end. I hope all four pairs can start playing better and achieve good results here.”

Sze Fei-Rumsani can’t afford to play the same way against their second round opponents Supak Jomkoh-Kitinupong Kedren of Thailand today.

Hon Jian-Haikal also have a good chance of reaching the last eight with a win over Pharanyu Kaosamaang-Worrapol Thongsanga of Thailand today.

Independent pair Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong also advanced to the second round with a 21-8, 21-18 over Job Castillo-Luis Montoya of Mexico but face an uphill task against Indonesian third seeds Leo Rolly-Daniel Marthin.