Explosive start as Haikal-Hon Jian dump Thai top pair in home opener
Superb start: Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri celebrate after winning first round match at the Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Men doubles shuttlers Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian pulled off an impressive victory over Thailand's top duo Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren to reach the Malaysian Masters second round.
Spurred on by the passionate home fans, world No. 41 Haikal-Hon Jian turned in a spirited performance to come out on top with a 21-15, 21-18 win over the world No. 14 Thais at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday (May 20).
It was a morale boosting result for the Malaysians, who have been struggling with form and fitness over the past few months which saw their rankings plunge from No. 18 to 41.
Haikal-Hon Jian will next take on either Japan's former world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi or China's Huang Di-Liu Yang for a place in the last eight.
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