Latest news with #WeeKiong-Azriyn
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
A Tan of surprise
Huge task: Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi will be up against China's Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang in the quarter-finals of the Japan Open today. Old guards Wee Kiong-Azriyn show they still got it, as three other men pairs reach quarters PETALING JAYA: Veteran doubles shuttler Tan Wee Kiong and his partner Nur Azriyn Ayub were not expected to go far but they pulled off the biggest surprise of the day to book a spot in the quarter-finals of the Japan Open. Wee Kiong-Azriyn upstaged former world No. 1s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark 21-16, 15-21, 21-19 in a gruelling 63-minute duel yesterday – their best result in a Super 750 tournament since joining forces in June 2023. The 36-year-old Wee Kiong, who once held the same world No. 1 status with former partner Goh V Shem, showed he still has the touch, with Azriyn, and outlasted the fourth seeds. 'We're just happy to get the win today. Honestly, we weren't thinking about the result – just staying focused on every return and staying present in each rally,' said Wee Kiong. 'It'll be the same approach next. Of course, we want to win, but the main thing is to keep our focus point by point.' They will take on either Indonesia's Fajar Alfian, who is pairing up with Shohibul Fikri, or Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard in the quarter-finals today. As expected, world No. 1 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also checked into the last eight, but not without a fight. The defending champions were made to work hard before subduing Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita 21-19, 21-18 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. They will meet the winners of the clash between Fajar-Shohibul and Rasmus Kjaer- Frederik Sogaard. Also through to the quarter-finals are sixth seeds Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who held their nerve to edge China's Huang Di-Liu Yang 21-19, 14-21, 22-20 in a tight encounter. A tough challenge awaits them as they face South Korea's Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae next. Completing a strong day for the Malaysian camp were Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, who came from behind to overcome the United States' Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith 19-21, 21-14, 21-19. Like Wee Kiong-Azriyn, it will be their first quarter-final outing of the year. They are set to face fifth seeds Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang of China.
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Wee Kiong-Azriyn show class in Japan Open upset, storm into quarters
PETALING JAYA: Veteran shuttler Tan Wee Kiong showed he still has plenty to offer after combining with Nur Azriyn Ayub to stun former world No. 1 pair Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark in the second round of the Japan Open on Thursday (July 17). Wee Kiong, who won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has yet to rediscover his best form since teaming up with Azriyn, but the duo stepped up when it mattered against the fourth seeds. They pushed Astrup-Rasmussen all the way in a thrilling match that went the distance and eventually sealed a hard-fought 21-16, 15-21, 21-19 victory in 63 minutes to reach their first quarter-final of the year. Wee Kiong-Azriyn will face either China's Chen Boyang-Liu Yi or Taiwan's Liu Kuang-heng-Yang Po-han in the last eight on Friday (June 18). Also through to the quarter-finals are compatriots Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin, who battled past the United States' Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith 19-21, 21-14, 21-19. Like Wee Kiong-Azriyn, this is also their first quarter-final appearance of the year. They will face fifth seeds Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang of China on Friday.
The Star
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Good news as two men's doubles pairs assured of q-finals spots
Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei - Nur Izzuddin in action for mens double match during the Malaysia Open 2025 at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Even before the second-round matches get underway tomorrow (June 5), Malaysia are already assured of having at least two men's doubles pairs in the quarter-finals of the Indonesian Open. World No. 1 duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will face veterans Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub, while Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are set to take on Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi in another all-Malaysian clash. For Wee Kiong-Azriyn, there was a sense of relief after they finally cleared the opening round on Tuesday, defeating China's Xie Haonan-Zeng Weihan 21-17, 21-12. The pair had suffered seven consecutive first-round exits since the German Open in February. Ironically, the last time they progressed beyond the first round was also in Jakarta, at the Indonesia Masters on January where they were stopped by the same Chinese pair. 'Our last meeting with Haonan-Weihan was here in Indonesia, so we didn't have much confidence at the start. But after a few rallies, Azriyn found his rhythm. He led the way today (Tuesday) and we got back on track,' said Wee Kiong in an interview with BWF. 'For me, it's about using my experience to guide us. I let Azriyn do most of the court coverage as we try to close the gap with the top pairs. Hopefully, we can keep up this momentum.' Wee Kiong, 36, and Azriyn, 31, know they are no longer in their prime, but beyond chasing victories, they are also looking to enjoy the matches they play. In their past three meetings, Wee Kiong-Azriyn have only beaten Sze Fei-Izzuddin once, during the second round of the Kumamoto Masters last year. However, in their most recent clash at the Indian Open in March, they fell to the younger pair. 'At our age, we're still trying to achieve something. Of course, we want to enjoy the game and create something special in our careers. 'We've managed to clear the first hurdle, but we have to stay focused,' he added.
