KUALA LUMPUR – National men’s doubles players Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri added joy to Malaysia’s badminton camp after advancing to the final of the Orleans Masters earlier this morning.
Facing world number 46 Danish pair Andreas Sondergaard-Jesper Toft, Malaysia’s world number 40 duo dispatched their opponents 21-18, 21-16 in 37 minutes at the Palais des Sports.
Hon Jian and Haikal will face Indonesia’s world number 49 pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Muhammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani in the final slated for 9.20pm today.
If they win, this will be the pair’s third title after winning the Syed Modi International and the Guwahati Masters last year.
Unfortunately, mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin could not make the cut after losing an epic battle in their semi-final clash.
The world number 82 pair were bested by China’s 110th-ranked Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi 24-22, 16-21, 25-27 in an hour and 18 minutes.
The Super 300 tournament is being held simultaneously with the All England Championships in Birmingham where Malaysia’s number one men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will be playing their second career final.
The world number five pair brushed aside the challenge of Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan of Chinese Taipei 21-16, 21-15 in 36 minutes at the Utilita Arena.
Waiting for them in the final are Indonesia’s world number sevens Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto.
The final is also slated for 9.20 tonight. – March 17, 2024