It was a day of heartbreaking exits for Malaysia at the LI-NING China Masters Super 750, as both Malaysian Men’s Doubles combinations saw their impressive campaigns end in the semi-finals.
Tee Kai Wun-Yap Roy King and independent veterans Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong produced tremendous fighting performances against elite opposition, with both Malaysian pairs taking their respective matches into deciding games.
But despite pushing their opponents to the limit, neither combination could complete the final step toward the title.
The young Malaysian pairing of Tee Kai Wun and Yap Roy King once again showed why they are emerging as one of the country’s most promising Men’s Doubles combinations.
Facing China’s He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu, the Malaysians were immediately drawn into a fiercely contested opening game.
Tee and Yap narrowly missed out on the first set 23-21, but responded brilliantly in the second, stepping up their attacking intensity and forcing the Chinese pair onto the defensive.
The Malaysians levelled the contest with a commanding 21-17 second-game victory, setting up a decisive third set.
However, with the home crowd firmly behind them, He-Ren regained control when it mattered most.
The Chinese duo maintained their relentless pressure throughout the decider to seal a 23-21, 17-21, 21-17 victory and book their place in the China Masters final.
For Tee and Yap, the defeat was undoubtedly disappointing, but their run to the last four represents another significant step forward on the international stage.
Earlier, Malaysia’s independent combination of Nur Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong faced another formidable challenge against India’s fourth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty.
The experienced Malaysian pair found themselves under pressure after losing the opening game 21-16.
Rather than allowing the match to slip away, however, Azriyn and Tan responded with the experience and composure that have defined their careers.
They fought back strongly in the second game, repeatedly challenging the Indian pair’s attacking rhythm and eventually claiming the set 21-18 to force another deciding game.
The momentum, unfortunately, shifted decisively in the third.
Rankireddy and Shetty raised their intensity and began controlling the exchanges, leaving the Malaysians with little room to respond.
The Indian fourth seeds closed out the deciding game 21-11, completing a 21-16, 18-21, 21-11 victory.
Although both Malaysian combinations fell just short of the final, their performances in Shenzhen provided plenty of encouragement.
For Tee/Yap, taking a strong Chinese home pairing into a tight three-set battle demonstrates their growing confidence and ability to compete deep into major BWF World Tour events.
Meanwhile, Azriyn-Tan Wee Kiong once again showed that experience remains a major weapon. Their comeback against one of India’s most dangerous combinations underlined their ability to challenge the world’s elite despite entering the tournament outside the spotlight.
Both pairs can leave Shenzhen disappointed with the result, but proud of the performances that took them to the semi-final stage.
Credit Photo : IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/THE STAR
