Shuttler Eogene falls flat in US Open qualifiers
But the 20-year-old failure to build on that momentum has sparked familiar concerns.
Is world No. 98 Eogene destined to become another promising youngster unable to fulfil his potential?
The men's singles shuttler suffered a deflating early exit at the US Open in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Tuesday, crashing out in the first round of the two-stage qualifiers.
He lost 21-16, 21-15 to South Korea's world No. 136 Yoo Tae Bin - the very same opponent he had beaten to win his maiden senior title in Slovenia.
The defeat raises eyebrows, not just for the result but also for Eogene's inability to assert himself against a familiar opponent, especially at a higher-tier Super 300 event, where a strong showing was crucial to climbing the world rankings.
Currently, the fourth-ranked singles player in the national team set up behind Leong Jun Hao, Ng Tze Yong and Justin Hoh, Eogene faces an increasingly narrow window to prove himself.
While time is technically on his side, recent history suggests that time alone is no longer a luxury offered by the BA of Malaysia (BAM).
BAM have in recent years, released several players who failed to show significant progress within two to three years.
The pressure is now squarely on Eogene to break that cycle or risk being the next in line to be shown the door.
Eogene must now regroup quickly and prove that his Slovenia Open triumph wasn't just a flash in the pan or risk fading into the same shadows as those before him.
He will have a chance to redeem himself at the Canada Open, another Super 300 meet, next week, where a stronger showing could help restore confidence and keep his momentum alive.
Meanwhile, women's singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching, also a champion at the Slovenia Open, negotiated her one-match qualifier with ease, brushing aside American Isabelle Rusli 21-10, 21-11 to reach the main draw.
In men's doubles, professional pair Razif Latif–Liu Ansen also made the cut after grinding out a 17-21, 21-14, 21-19 win over India's Arjun Reddy Ponchana-Gouse Shaik.
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