![[UPDATED] Hon Jian-Haikal topple top Thai pair at Malaysia Masters [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FTopple_Thai_-MS2005_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1747737194.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] Hon Jian-Haikal topple top Thai pair at Malaysia Masters [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri stunned Thailand's world No. 14 Dechapol Puaravaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren to storm into the second round of the Malaysia Masters on Tuesday.
The Malaysian world No. 41 secured a hard-earned 21-15, 21-18 win in 40 minutes at the Axiata Arena.
It was Hon Jian-Haikal's first meeting against Dechapol-Kittnupong, who were semi-finalists at the Thailand Open last week.
Haikal, who had been out of action since December due to a thigh injury, played in the Taiwan and Thailand Opens over the last two weeks where he and Hon Jian lost in the first round.
Meanwhile, illness did not stop men's pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing from advancing to the main draw of the Malaysia Masters.
The world No. 58 brushed aside teammates and world No. 67 Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Fazriq Razif 21-17, 21-17 in just 34 minutes in the qualifying round.
Despite battling a fever, Aaron soldiered on to help Khai Xing secure their place in the Malaysia Masters main draw for the first time.
The reigning world junior champions will take on Denmark's William Kryger Boe-Christian Faust Kjaer in the opening round of the main draw. The world No. 50 Danes had earlier ousted Malaysia's world No. 72 Chia Weijie-Lwi Sheng Hao 21-9, 21-10.
Boe-Kjaer, notably, finished runners-up to world No. 3 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik at the Thailand Open final on Sunday.
"I got the fever yesterday (Monday), but I never thought of withdrawing from the tournament," said Aaron.
"Before the match, I felt a little tired, but stepping onto the court and seeing all the fans gave me energy."
Khai Xing said that facing fellow Malaysians came with its own set of challenges.
"It's never easy playing against teammates. They know our game inside out, and we know theirs," he said.
World No. 39 men's doubles Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong advanced to the second round of the main draw after defeating Taiwan's world No. 70 Chiang Chien Wei-Wu Hsuan Yi 21-14, 21-16. They will play the winners of the clash between Denmark's world No. 1 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and China's world No. 29 Xie Hao Nan-Zeng Wei Han.
In men's singles qualifying matches, Malaysian shuttlers fell like ten pins.
World No. 77 Jacky Kok was shown the exit by world No. 92 Hu Zhe An of China, going down 22-20, 21-11. World No. 48 Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin lost to Taiwan's world No. 65 Huang Yu Kai 8-21, 21-17, 21-18.
World No. 83 Tan Jia Jie also bowed out early, falling 21-17, 21-8 to Vietnam's world No. 75 Nguyen Hai Dang.
There was, however, some cheer in the mixed doubles. World No. 315 Too Ming Yap-Lee Yu Shan advanced to the main draw after upsetting India's world No. 79 J. Mohit-J. Lakshita 21-15, 21-16. They will face Thailand's world No. 99 Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Nattamon Laisuan in the first round.
In women's doubles, Ho Lo Ee-Amanda Yap edged Thailand's Phattharin Aiamvareesrisakul-Sarisa Janpeng 19-21, 21-14, 22-20.
However, world No. 284 Cheng Su Hui-Tan Zhing Yi were beaten 20-22, 21-13, 21-15 by Taiwan's world No. 167 Sung Yi Hsuan-Yang Yi Hsun.
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