KUALA LUMPUR: Unfancied Nur Mohd Azryin Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong stole the thunder in the battle of Malaysian independent pairs as they upstaged high-riding Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the Kumamoto Masters in Japan today.
World No.40 and unseeded Azriyn-Wee Kiong produced a surprise 21-9, 23-21 win over world No. 8 Sze Fei-Izzuddin in 36 minutes.
In the process, Azriyn-Wee Kiong became the sole Malaysian survivors in the men's doubles in the Super 500 event.
Azriyn-Wee Kiong, who have been playing in Super 100 and 300 events this year, have been aiming to play in the Super 500 and beyond next year, and this is possibly the start for them to achieve that goal.
"Our target this year is to try to break into the world's top 32 rankings so that we can play and compete against stronger pairs in the Super 500 events and beyond," said Wee Kiong.
"It is still early to say that we are on the right track to achieve that, but I can feel our game and combination are getting better."
Sze Fei-Izzuddin were expected to make another strong surge in Kumamoto after having won the Japan (Super 750), China (Super 1000) and Artic (Super 500) Opens but faltered against their independent counterparts.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, though winning the Korea Masters on Sunday, also crashed out in the second round.
Aaron-Wooi Yik were beaten 21-11, 21-13 by Taiwan pair Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi Lin in just 26 minutes. Ironically, the Malaysian duo had beaten the same combination in the semi-finals of the Korea Masters in straight games last week.
The defeat has dented Aaron-Wooi Yik's chances of qualifying for the WTF as they are currently ranked 10th in the World Tour rankings and must make it to the top seven with just the China Masters left to play.
As for Azriyn-Wee Kiong, it will be their turn to cross swords with Hsiang Chieh-Chi Lin in the last eight.
"We hope to give a good fight to them, as they are currently in good form," added Wee Kiong.
Chi Lin is a two-time men's doubles Olympic champion with Lee Yang, who had retired after the Paris Games in August.
World No. 14 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bowed out in the second round after losing 21-17, 19-21, 21-19 to Indonesians Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto.
However, Malaysia fared better in the mixed doubles as world No. 10 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and world No. 25 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin checked into the quarter-finals. Soon Huat-Shevon overcame young China pair Zhou Zhi Hong-Yang Jia Yi 21-19, 21-11 to book a last eight clash against Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito of Japan.
Pang Ron-Su Yin toppled world No. 15 Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas of Indonesia 18-21, 24-22, 21-10 to earn the right to play Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran tomorrow.
Independent pair Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien missed the opportunity to reach the last eight after losing 13-21, 21-14, 21-16 to Presley Smith-Jennie Gai of the United States.
RESULTS
Second Round
(Malaysians unless stated)
Men's singles: Lee Zii Jia bt Su Li Yang (Tpe) 19-21, 21-8, 21-16; Leong Jun Hao bt Koki Watanabe (Jpn) 21-10, 16-21, 21-13.
Men's doubles: Nur Mohd Azryin Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong bt Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 21-9, 23-21; Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi Lin (Tpe) bt Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik 21-11, 21-13; Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto (Ina) bt Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun 21-17, 19-21, 21-19.
Mixed doubles: Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin bt Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas 18-21, 24-22, 21-10; Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai bt Zhou Zhi Hong-Yang Jia Yi (Chn) 21-19, 21-11; Presley Smith-Jennie Gai (US) bt Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien 13-21, 21-14, 21-16.