Istora Senayan feels like home for Wei Chong-Kai Wun
KUALA LUMPUR: Istora Senayan is fast becoming a second home for men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who are now just one win away from reaching their third consecutive final at the famed Jakarta venue.
The world No. 7 were runners-up at the Super 1000 event last year and lifted the Super 500 Indonesia Masters title at the same venue in January.
On Friday, Wei Chong-Kai Wun produced a commanding performance to stun world No. 22 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 21-19, 21-16 in just 43 minutes — their first win over the Indian pair in five meetings.
"We focused on our game plan even though they were faster and stronger," said Wei Chong.
"Because of the draught, we kept our returns flat and avoided lifting the shuttle too much — that helped us control the match."
Kai Wun added: "It feels great to finally beat them. It gives us a real confidence boost for the semi-finals. So far, everything is going well."
Next up, Wei Chong-Kai Wun will seek revenge against Indonesia's world No. 8 Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, who edged world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin in the other quarter-final.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin squandered a 19-17 lead in the deciding game to fall 21-19, 6-21, 21-19 in 57 minutes.
"We were quite nervous during the crucial stage while they managed their emotions better," admitted Izzuddin.
Sze Fei, however, dismissed suggestions that their world No. 1 status added pressure.
"The pressure is always there. It's about learning how to overcome it. That's something we need to improve," he said.
Despite the defeat, Sze Fei-Izzuddin will retain their world No. 1 ranking next week, while compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are set to rise to No. 2.
The other Malaysians in the semi-finals are Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's doubles) and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
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