Latest news with #TaiwanOpen
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Yee Hern-Wen Tse's Korat triumph fuels world ranking charge
KUALA LUMPUR: The Thailand International Series title is just the start for national mixed doubles back-up pair Wee Yee Hern-Chan Wen Tse, with a place in the world's top 50 now firmly in their sights. The world No. 144 Malaysians stunned Thailand's world No. 64 Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Nattamon Laisuan 22-20, 21-16 in just 33 minutes in Korat on Sunday to claim their first title together. It was their second win over the Thai pair, following victory at the Sri Lanka International Challenge in February. Wen Tse, 20, was delighted to lift her first title alongside Yee Hern, 21, and is determined to keep the momentum going. "I'm really happy to win my first title with Yee Hern," she said. "This is just the beginning for us, and we'll keep working hard to win more. "Hopefully, we can break into the world's top 50 this year and add more titles." Their success is even more impressive as it was only their second tournament together since reuniting earlier this month. Earlier in the year, Wen Tse had partnered Chen Tang Jie, reaching the semi-finals of the Taiwan Open before a first-round exit at the Malaysia Masters in May. During that spell, Yee Hern played with Clarissan San at the World University Games in Germany. Their chemistry in Korat has given national mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto another promising option to support world No. 4 pair Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. Yee Hern-Wen Tse will now turn their attention to the Malaysia International Challenge in Perak, which starts on Tuesday.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Yee Hern-Wen Tse shock Thai pair to win first senior title
KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed doubles back-up pair Wee Yee Hern-Chan Wen Tse claimed their first senior title after winning the Thailand International Series on Sunday. The world No 144 stunned Thailand's world No 64 Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Nattamon Laisuan 22-20, 21-16 in just 33 minutes in Korat. It was Yee Hern-Wen Tse's second win over the Thai duo, following their victory at the Sri Lanka International Challenge in February. They now lead the head-to-head 2-1. This was only their second tournament together since reuniting at the Macau Open earlier this month. Wen Tse had partnered Chen Tang Jie during a brief split with Toh Ee Wei earlier in the year, reaching the semi-finals of the Taiwan Open before exiting in the first round of the Malaysia Masters in May. During that period, Yee Hern played with Clarissan San at the World University Games in Germany. Although Yee Hern and Wen Tse were knocked out in the first round in Macau by compatriots Loo Bing Kun-Go Pei Kee, their victory in Korat underlines their chemistry and potential as a pair. The result also gives national mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto another promising partnership to back up Tang Jie-Ee Wei. Yee Hern-Wen Tse will next feature at the Malaysia International Challenge in Perak next week.
The Star
03-08-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Justin's title hopes washed out in Macau but Yogendran happy with progress
PETALING JAYA: A leaky court disrupted shuttler Justin Hoh's (pic) rhythm in the Macau Open final but singles coach K. Yogendran is not using the incident as an excuse. Justin was hoping to capture his first World Tour title in the men's singles but found the going tough not just against his opponent Alwi Farhan from Indonesia but also due to the court conditions at the Macau East Asian Games Dome. The 21-year-old Justin lost 15-21, 5-21 yesterday. Water kept leaking which forced the players to keep asking the court attendants to mop the court in between rallies. Yogendran said that Justin, who suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury in 2023, could not move the way he usually would due to the leaking. 'There was water leaking onto the court and this disrupted Justin today (yesterday),' said Yogendran. 'We all know that Justin had a serious injury and could not play for nearly a year. 'In his heart, he wanted to win but he was not brave to move the way he usually does. 'So, his movement was not smooth on court and that was one of the issues he faced. 'But this is not an excuse. We have to admit he lost to a better player.' Despite the defeat, Yogendran was happy with Justin's breakthrough outing after he made it into his first final in the World Tour. Justin was also the first Malaysian in the men's singles to reach a World Tour final this year. 'Overall, it has been a good week for Justin. He beat a few players whom he had struggled against previously to reach the final,' said Justin. 'This is a good process for him. After so long, he has got back his rhythm and game play. At least he knows now where he stands. 'Moving forward, we will keep working to improve his weaknesses and help him achieve more.' Justin will be hoping to build on his positive showing after struggling to make an impression in the World Tour before this. The youngster's best result this year before this was reaching the quarter-finals in the Taiwan Open. Justin will next have a break from tournaments before competing in the Hong Kong Open from Sept 9-14.
The Star
03-08-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Leaky court trips up Justin in Macau Open but it's not an excuse says coach
National men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: A leaky court disrupted Justin Hoh's rhythm in the Macau Open final but men's singles coach K. Yogendran insists they would not use it as an excuse. Justin was bidding for his maiden World Tour title but had to contend with both Indonesia's Alwi Farhan and poor playing conditions at the Macau East Asian Games Dome. He went down 15-21, 5-21 on Sunday (Aug 3). Persistent water leakage onto the court forced frequent interruptions, with players repeatedly calling for attendants to mop the surface between rallies. Yogendran revealed that the slippery conditions particularly affected Justin's movement, given that he is still on the comeback trail after a serious Achilles tendon injury last year. 'There was water leaking on the court and it disrupted Justin's rhythm in the final,' said Yogendran. 'We all know Justin had a serious injury and could not play for nearly a year. "In his heart, he wanted to win but he was not brave to move the way he usually does. "So, his movement was not smooth on court and that was one of the issues he faced. "But this is not an excuse. We have to admit he lost to a better player." Despite the defeat, Yogendran was happy with Justin's breakthrough outing after he made it into his first final in the World Tour. The 21-year-old was also the first Malaysian in the men's singles to reach a World Tour final this year. "Overall, it has been a good week for Justin. He beat a few players whom he had struggled against previously to reach the final," said Yogendran. "This is a good process for him. After so long, he has got back his rhythm and game play. At least he knows now where he stands. "Moving forward, we will keep working to improve his weaknesses and help him achieve more." Justin will be hoping to build on his positive showing after struggling to make an impression in the World Tour before this. This year, the youngster's best result before this was reaching the quarter-finals in the Taiwan Open. Justin will next have a break from tournaments before competing in the Hong Kong Open from Sept 9-14.
New Straits Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Justin continues strong run at Macau Open
KUALA LUMPUR: Justin Hoh continued his fine run at the Macau Open by beating India's seventh seed Ayush Shetty 21-18, 21-16 to book his spot in the men's singles quarter-finals on Thursday. The world No. 45 Malaysian extended his head-to-head record against world No. 31 Ayush to 3-2. It marks only the third time Justin has reached the last eight of a World Tour Super 300 or higher event, having previously made it this far at the Taiwan Open in 2023 and 2024. The 21-year-old will next face either Thailand's former world championship bronze medallist Kantaphon Wangcharoen or Singapore's Jason Teh, with his sights firmly set on a breakthrough semi-final appearance. There was also cheer in the mixed doubles where professional pair Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing pulled off an upset against world No. 18 Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto of India. Making their World Tour debut as a pair, Jimmy-Pei Jing recovered from a game down to prevail 19-21, 21-13, 21-18 and advance to the last eight. They will next take on second seeds Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi of China. Jimmy-Pei Jing, who first joined forces in March, have reached three finals on the satellite circuit — the Vietnam International Challenge, Thailand International Series and St Denis Reunion Open — and will be eyeing a career-best outing in Macau. For Pei Jing, Macau holds fond memories — she was a semi-finalist at the same tournament in 2016 with her now-retired partner Tan Kian Meng. She will also be hoping for another strong result before heading to Paris later this month, where she will serve as a sparring partner to the French national team in preparation for the World Championships from Aug 25–31.
