Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Face Upset Threat in Thailand Masters: Can They Overcome Taiwan’s Po-yu and Fu-cheng?
Malaysian Veterans Lodge Caution Despite Favorable History
The experienced Malaysian men’s doubles pair of Tan Wee Kiong and Nur Azriyn Ayub will need to remain vigilant when they take on Taiwan’s Lai Po-yu and Tsai Fu-cheng in the second round of the 2022 Thailand Masters, despite their 2-0 head-to-head advantage.
“We cannot afford to be complacent. Po-yu and Fu-cheng are eager to turn the tables on us,”Wee Kiong said, reflecting on their upcoming challenge.
Taiwanese Pair Issues Strong Warning
- Po-yu and Fu-cheng upset world No. 27 Chinese pair 21-17, 21-19 in the first round.
- Prior to this upset, the Taiwanese duo had lost to Wee Kiong and Azriyn in two first-round matches in 2021.
The Malaysian pair acknowledges the threat, having struggled in their opening match against India’s Pruthvi Krishnamurthy and Sai Pratheek, winning 22-20, 22-20.
Malaysia’s Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles Campaigns End Early
Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge concluded prematurely as Eogene Ewe and Jacky Kok bowed out in the qualifying rounds. Ewe lost to China’s Zhu Xuanchen, while Kok went down to Taiwan’s Wang Yu-kai. Siti Zulaikha Azmi also exited the women’s singles qualifying round after a loss to South Korea’s Lee So-yul.
Can Wee Kiong and Azriyn Navigate the Upset Threat?
The fourth-seeded Malaysian pair must be at their best to overcome the determined Taiwanese duo and progress to the quarter-finals of the Thailand Masters. Their experience and past successes against Po-yu and Fu-cheng should give them confidence, but they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.