Man Wei Chong and Soh Wooi Yik Advance at Korea Masters

In a challenging opening match at the Korea Masters, Malaysia's men's doubles duo of Man Wei Chong and Soh Wooi Yik managed to bounce back from an initial setback to progress to the round of 16. The pair, currently ranked 160th in the world, triumphed over Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa and Yuto Nakashizu after a 54-minute contest, winning with scores of 12-21, 21-17, and 21-12.

The match began with the Japanese team taking control, as they dominated the first game and forced the Malaysians into a defensive position. However, Man and Soh regrouped in the second game, showcasing improved defensive skills and creating more attacking opportunities, which allowed them to equalize the match.

With renewed confidence, the Malaysian pair carried their momentum into the final game, where they executed a more convincing performance to secure the victory. This win marks a significant boost for Man and Soh, who have faced difficulties in their new partnership following a restructuring of Malaysia's men’s doubles teams.

The duo will next face Singapore's Nge Joo Jie and Donovan Willard Wee, who are ranked 676th in the world, presenting a favorable opportunity for the Malaysians to continue their progress. However, they will need to avoid the slow starts that have plagued them in previous matches.

In addition to Man and Soh, other Malaysian pairs also advanced in the tournament, including Tee Kai Wun and Yap Roy King, who recovered from a game down to win their match. Professional duo Low Hang Yee and Ng Eng Cheong also secured a hard-fought victory in an all-Malaysian clash, setting them up for a challenging next round against a higher-ranked pair from Chinese Taipei.